Cyril Josh Barker

Amsterdam News Staff

The National Action Network is holding its 11th Annual National Convention April 1st through 4th at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. Al Sharpton, who serves as president of NAN, said that the event would be the largest civil rights convention since the election of Barack Obama.

Hundreds of leaders from the world of business, civil rights, politics, labor and entertainment are slated to attend the event. Discussion at the convention will center on issues affecting the American people during the Obama era.

Confirmed guest for the conference include Judge Greg Mathis, Star Jones, Matt Lauer, D.L. Hughley and Robin Roberts.

During the conference there will be daily panels and discussions on healthcare, religion, criminal justice and other issues. Exclusive events include the Keepers of the Dream Awards on April 1st and the Rev. Dr. William A Jones Memorial Luncheon on April 2nd.

On April 3rd the convection will host Education Equality Project (EEP) Day. Activities will highlight education issues, charter schools and public school funding.

At a luncheon on EEP Day there will be a conversation with New York City Public Schools Chancellor Joel Klein along with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and mayors from Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Sacramento, Calif.

On Saturday April 4th NAN will do a live radio broadcast from the conference. New York Amsterdam News Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Elinor Tatum will be on a panel along with other media celebrities on April 2nd discussing changes in the media since the election of President Obama.

The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) will take place on April 4th with discussions about self-image designing, sexual issues and the intergenerational disconnect. YES will include conversations with Tamika Mallory, Sharpton’s daughter Dominque, Kim Cooper of Hip Hop 4 Life and Chris People, Regional VP of NAN.

The NAN National Convention will wrap up on April 4th with a discussion about depression by Terrie Williams author of the book Black Pain: It Jus Looks Like We’re Not Hurting.