Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS: EVENT ALERT: NAACP CEO Cornell Brooks and Grammy Winner Charlie Wilson at NAACP Commerce & Industry Ribbon Cutting At Philadelphia Convention Center July 11th

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

The 106th Annual Convention of the NAACP has arrived in Philadelphia and is being hosted at the Convention Center at 11th and Arch Street.

These are exciting times we are living in, indeed. The NAACP conventions, which are generally well attended, promises to have twice the number of attendees and participants in the wake of the heinous criminal massacre that took place in South Carolina scarcely a month ago.

It has caused civil rights organizations, leaders and activists, now more than ever, to hone in on what will be necessary to safeguard millions of innocent African Americans, who are innocently going about their every day lives, but become targets of violence nevertheless.

Having just returned from Washington DC, and National Action Network's annual Legislative and Policy Conference, these issues are on the top of the agenda of our Civil Rights Organizations as they come together to work in concert in impacting the legislation that governs these problems (more about that in a later posting ).

The NAACP has lead the charge over the century in fighting for economic, social, educational, and criminal justice for Black people. There has been a coalescing of efforts with other civil rights organizations, with the NAACP, in many ways, leading the charge. The recognition for the need to collaborate has long been their driving spirit as they work to eradicate egregious acts of violence and gross miscarriage of injustice that have been perpetrated against Black people for centuries.

Of course, interlaced with that important focus, will also be events and programs that are essential to the day to day lives as well as the advancement of African Americans, locally and nationally. Along with the workshops there are promises of expansion, exposure to opportunities, and the possibilities of interaction with key people who may be the gatekeepers for career and job opportunities.

The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony that will open the Commerce and Industry Show, may well provide pathways to success for those who have long been looking for employment, or the next step up the ladder of career success.

Join Chairman Roslyn M. Brock, Vice Chair Leon W. Russell, President and CEO Cornell William Brooks as they officially open the 46th Annual Commerce and Industry Show. Also on hand for the ceremonies will be nine-time Grammy nominated recording artist Charlie Wilson.

Grammy Award Winner Charlie Wilson

Cornell Brooks & Roslyn Brock

Beginning July 11 through July 14th, the show will feature exhibits and booths from industry and emerging businesses leaders. Additionally there will be a health fair, and and author pavilion.

The Comerce and Industry Show has been a cornerstone of the NAACP’s convention for over half a century. A special feature this year, will be an open casting call for the show “Shark Tank” and the ACT – SO culinary arts competition.

ACT – SO, which is an acronym for the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics, a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students, has set records in helping High Schoolers achieve their potential and go on to make major contributions to society as adults.

Those interested in participating or registering their youth in the ACT-SO Program can do so at the convention site.

The NAACP Five-Day convention, is the 106th since the founding of the illustrious Civil Rights organization in 1909. If you have not already done so, you can register on line for the upcoming workshops and events.

I'm providing a copy of the overview of the 4-day event, which will culminate on July 14. Of course the high point will be President Barack Obama's address which will take place on Tuesday, July 14. Make it your business to avail yourselves of the opportunities they are providing - not just because it will be advantageous to you, but because we have to support those who have supported us as a people - the NAACP!

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. From th

From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP continue to fight for social justice for all Americans.