BOSTON — Former Secretary of State and ex-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton headlines a list of speakers for the NAACP National Convention in Boston later this month.
Joining the former first lady on the convention speaker list are U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and state Rep. Justin Jones of Tennessee. Jones had been expelled from the state House of Representatives after leading a gun control protest after a mass shooting.
The 114th NAACP National Convention is coming to Boston from July 26 to Aug. 1.
“Each year, NAACP members and friends gather at the Convention in a shared space that has proven vital for our collective growth and advocacy,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement.
“Now more than ever, this sacred convening is crucial to our continued fight for the preservation of democracy,” Johnson added. “We are excited to bring vitality and vibrance to our roots in Boston, home of the Association’s first chartered branch.”
The other speakers at the convention will include: Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women; Kimberlé Crenshaw, scholar and civil rights activist; Gary Chambers, social justice advocate; Bishop Vashti McKenzie, author, “The Journey to Well”; Rome Flynn, actor, Netflix’s “Raising Dion” and Prime Video’s “With Love”; Sheryl Underwood, comedian, host, ABC’s “The Talk”; Jabari Banks, actor, Peacock’s “Bel-Air”; Adrian Holmes, actor, Peacock’s “Bel-Air”; Jasmine Guy, actress, “A Different World”; Lamaan Rucker, actor, OWN’s “Greenleaf”; Essence Atkins, actress, BET’s “First Wives Club”; Marcus Scribner, actor, Freeform “Grown-ish” and ABC’s “Blackish”; Kadeem Hardison, actor, “A Different World”; and Danielle Ponder, singer.
The convention’s theme will be “Thriving Together.”
“Elected officials, activists, organizers, faith leaders, entertainers, change-makers, NAACP members and local residents will convene to celebrate the Black community’s collective power,” a press release for the convention reads. “Through workshops, plenary sessions, and panel discussions, we will forge a path forward on the most pressing issues facing Black communities today, including voter suppression, student debt, affirmative action, police brutality and reproductive rights.”
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