DNC's Black Caucus Hosts 2006 African American Leadership Summit
National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie M. Rollins announced that the DNC will hold an African American Summit at the Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, from September 22-24, 2006. The national summit will provide an opportunity for African American leaders across the country to gather to advance the Democratic vision for a new direction for America and discuss the importance of mobilizing African American voters for the upcoming mid-term elections.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins issued the following statement:"We are excited that the DNC's Black Caucus is bringing the summit to Detroit. This event promises to be a valuable opportunity to network and organize with prominent African American leaders and rank and file Democrats from around the country. Summit participants will discuss the need for an urban agenda and critical issues such as voting rights, minimum wage, jobs, economic opportunity, social justice, health care, and getting out the vote.
"This November, Democrats will offer a new direction for America that will reverse the failed policies of the Bush Administration and Washington Republicans. The African American community has witnessed firsthand the Bush Administration 's long record of failure and incompetence, from the failed federal government response to Hurricane Katrina to under-funding of public education, cuts to small businesses and community development funds, and declining incomes, higher poverty levels and the loss of health care coverage for many African Americans . At next week's summit, we will engage African American leaders on the critical role African Americans will play in the fight to bring real and much needed change to our country."
Featured speakers include:
DNC Chairman Howard Dean
DNC Vice Chair Lottie Shackelford
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI)
Rep. John Conyers (MI-14)
Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick (MI-13)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
Former New Jersey Secretary of State Rev. Regena Thomas
Cornell Belcher, Brilliant Corners
Bishop David G. Evans, Pastor - Bethany Baptist Church
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Chair of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Latoia Jones, Executive Director College Democrats of America
Malia Lazu, Director of the Racial Justice Campaign Fund at Progressive Majority
Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network
Tracy Sturdivant, Vice-President of the White House Project
Rev. Romal Tune, CEO Clergy Strategic Alliances, LLC
