The Oklahoma State Conference NAACP is hosting the annual 2010 Regional NAACP Southwest Region Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute Conference March 18-20, 2010 at the Reed Conference Center, Midwest City, Oklahoma. Regional VI includes Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas. The theme of this year’s conference is “One Nation, One Dream.”
The National NAACP President and CEO Benjamin T. Jealous be speaking at the Clara Luper Youth & College Luncheon during the conference at noon on Saturday, March 20th. The speaker for the Saturday evening banquet beginning at 7:30 p.m. on March 20 will be the Honorable Oklahoma Supreme Court, Justice Tom Colbert. The conference is open to the public and registration can be made for the entire conference or individually selected workshops and events beginning at 8:00 a.m., March 18 at the Reed Center.
“It is critical for Oklahomans to support this historical conference, you do not have to be a member of the NAACP to attend the workshops and events. We realize that the price of freedom takes hard work, vigilance and perseverance,” said Oklahoma State President Anthony Douglas.
The luncheons and banquets include:
* The Executive Leadership Advocacy & Membership Luncheon will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, March 19. Chief of the Washington Bureau division of the NAACP Hillary Shelton will be this year’s speaker. Tickets for this luncheon are $30.00 per adult and $20 per youth and college students.
* The Clara Luper Youth & College Luncheon will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, March 20. National President and CEO Benjamin T. Jealous will be the featured speaker. Tickets for this luncheon are $30.00 adult and $20 youth and college students.
* The Freedom Fund Banquet and dance will be held at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 20th. The Honorable Oklahoma Supreme Court, Justice Tom Colbert is the guest speaker for this event. Tickets are $50.00 per adult and $30 per youth and college students.
During the Regional conference, March 18 – 20, there will be a wide range of workshop choices including: Emergency response by the American Red Cross, Census and Voter Registration, Education, Health, Civil Rights, Legal Redress, Branch Administration, and a Religious Round Table discussion on strengthening partnerships in the faith community.
In addition some special events at the Regional conference include a Gospel Music Extravaganza, community mass meeting, and memorial service, and the Women in the NAACP (WIN) will present a special program. A Legislative workshop on how to interface with State, Federal and Community agencies regarding social and economic issues, discrimination and politic will be presented by Chief of the Washington Bureau division of the NAACP Hillary Shelton.
“Everyone is invited to join us as we strategize on ways to make our American Democracy work as “One Nation, with One Dream” for Americans of all races and ethnicities, men women and children. Meet and greet our new national NAACP President & CEO, Benjamin T. Jealous, and let your voice be heard, said Douglas.
For more information, pre-registration forms, and tickets for each of these events and can be purchased or may be obtained from the Oklahoma State Conference office, by calling (405) 722-6100 or view the Web site for details about the conference agenda dates and times of workshops and events at: www.oknaacp.org.
About the NAACP:
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.