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National Urban League Conference 2023
July 26, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - July 29, 2023 @ 5:00 pm MST
The National Urban League Conference will be held in Houston from Wednesday July 26 to Saturday July 29 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Every year the conference proves to be the most influential gathering on civil rights and urban advocacy in the country. The conference returns to Houston after 24 years.
Whether or not you plan to attend, the national news headlines of the conference week will be discussed or happening in Houston and we hope you will be interested in speaking with Marc Morial, National Urban League President and CEO about this extraordinary experience. As the conference will attract leaders from business, government, social advocacy, and also celebrities, in Houston, to convene AND give back!
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE 2023 CONFERENCE IN HOUSTON
WEDNESDAY JULY 26 -SATURDAY JULY 29
**President Biden INVITED for Friday**
**Urban League Fights for You Rally**
**Workshops and Discussions on Politics, Race, Justice Education, Health in Cities***
**SATURDAY–Community & Family Day, College Fair: FREE Backpacks, Shoes, Car Giveaway** with FREE Legal, FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS
WHAT: 2023 National Urban League Conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center, July 26 to July 29, 2023
Notable speakers, panelists, honorees throughout the week include (see below for specific days):
- Marc H. Morial,President and CEO, National Urban League
- JudsonW. Robinson III, President and CEO, Houston Area Urban League
- Houston, Texas Mayor Sylvester Turner
- Will Packer, Record-Breaking Emmy Nominated Producer, Founder & CEO, Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, Oscars Producer
- Janet Murguia, President & CEO, UnidosUS
- Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network
- Jeff Johnson, Impact Strategist, Managing Director, Actum, LLC
- Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Representative (TX -18)
- Michelle Miller, National Correspondent, CBS News; Co-Host of “CBS This Morning Saturday”
- Al Green, U.S. Representative (TX-9)
- Justin Jones, Tennessee State Representative, District 52
- Justin J. Pearson, Tennessee State Representative, District 86
- Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Yolanda Adams, Gospel Songwriter, Vocalist, Actress and Radio Host, Yolanda Adams Morning Show
- Senfronia Thompson, Texas House of Representatives, District 141
- Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice
- Benjamin Crump, Trial Lawyer for Justice, Ben Crump Law, PLLC
AND MORE!
Register today at nulconference.org.
Join the movement + follow us on social @naturbanleague + #nulconf23
DAY TO DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2023 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS & VISUALS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE
Opening Press Conference–Wednesday, July 26 at 12:00pm CT
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1st Floor (outside of Hall A)
Speakers:
- Marc Morial, National Urban League President & CEO
- Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
- Judson W. Robinson, Houston Area Urban League President & CEO
Urban League Fights For You Rally–Wednesday, July 26 @ 3:00pm CT
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Outside of Conference Hall A & B (Lobby)
Speakers:
- Marc Morial,National Urban League President & CEO
- Houston MayorSylvester Turner
- Judson W. Robinson, Houston Area Urban League President & CEO
- Sheila Jackson Lee,U.S. Representative (TX -18)
- Justin Jones,Tennessee State Representative, District 52
- Justin J. Pearson,Tennessee State Representative, District 86
- Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston City Council
- Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, Executive Director for the African American Policy Forum
VISUALS: We’re kicking off this year’s conference with the “Urban League Fights for You” rally on Civil Rights, Gun Safety, Women’s Rights and Economic Justice. Join us and commit your voice to the restoring and advancing the rights of women, communities of color, and other marginalized groups.
Gumbo Coalition Documentary Movie Premiere – Wednesday, July 26 @ 6:00pm CT
Location: Wortham Center – Cullen Theater – 599 Prairie Street, Houston, TX
Don’t miss the exclusive Urban League Movement Red Carpet Event & Movie premiere of the acclaimed documentary Gumbo Coalition: The documentary follows two visionary Civil Rights leaders, Marc Morial and Janet Murguía, as they work to empower Black American and Latino American communities through three turbulent years in America. Gumbo Coalition takes us on an intimate — and sometimes humorous — journey into their lives, homes and the family histories that motivate their mission to achieve a more just and equitable country. At a dramatic crossroads in American history these leaders face some of their biggest challenges: the global pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath.
THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS & VISUALS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE
Opening Plenary – The State of the Urban League/Thursday July 27 @ 8:00am
LOCATION: Ballroom C – 4th Floor
- Presiding: Tim Murphy, Chairman, National Urban League
- Featured:Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
- Remarks:Judson Robinson III, President, Houston Area Urban League
- Welcome Remarks: The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor, Houston,TX
- Freedom Fighters Award Recipients:
o Representative Justin Jones, TN General Assembly, District 52
o Representative Justin J. Pearson, TN State Representative, District 86
Women of Power Awards Luncheon – Thursday, July 27 @ 12:30pm
Join us as we pay tribute to the remarkable women leading the way towards greatness in our community at our Women of Power Awards Luncheon. This year, we are proudly recognizing a diverse ensemble of trailblazing women who inspire and motivate us to strive for greatness in every aspect of our lives.
- Presiding: Michelle Miller, National Correspondent, CBS News; Co host: “CBS This Morning Saturday”
Honoring with WOP Presentation of Awards:
- Yolanda Adams, Gospel Songwriter, Vocalist, Actress and Radio Host
- The Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Texas House of Representatives, District 141
- Cynthia F. Bowman, Chief Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) and Talent Acquisition Officer, Bank of America
- Tanya Lombard, VP, Global External Public Affairs – Head of Multicultural Engagement & Strategic Alliances, AT&T
Urban League Live! A Celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary – Thursday, July 27th @ 8:00pm
House of Blues – 1204 Caroline Street, Houston TX
Special surprise performances as we celebrate Hip Hop’s 50thAnniversary. Prepare for a one-of-kind trip through the touchstones of a genre, from the Boogie Down Bronx to the Dirty South, from the pioneering Sugar Hill Gang to today’s chart toppers like Lil Baby, Urban League LIVE will take you on a journey of musical remembrances and discoveries.
FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS & VISUALS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE
Plenary II – The State of Black America/Friday July 28 @ 8:30am
LOCATION: Ballroom C – 4th Floor
Presiding:
Tim Murphy, Chairman, National Urban League
Rhonda Spears Bell, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, National Urban League
Remarks:
- Deputy Secretary, Wally Ademeyo, U.S. Department of Treasury
- Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice
- Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director, ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
- The Honorable Karen Bass, Mayor, City of Los Angeles, CA
- The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor, City of Houston, TX
- The Honorable Brandon Johnson, Mayor-Elect, City of Chicago, IL
**President Biden Invited
Legacy Leadership Luncheon – Friday, July 28 @ 12:30pm
Featured Speaker: Benjamin Crump, Trial Lawyer for Justice, Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala – Friday, July 28th @ 7:30pm
Location: Ballroom AB
The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala celebrates the voices and commitment of those championing the Urban League’s mission to empower Black communities around this nation. We’re excited to see you there!
Living Legend Awardees:
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, United States House of Representatives, 18th Congressional District of Texas
Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder & President; National Action Network, MSNBC Talk Show Host PoliticsNation
President’s Award for Arts & Entertainment:
Will Packer to be honored: Record-Breaking Emmy Nominated Producer, Founder & CEO, Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, Oscars Producer
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS & VISUALS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE
Community & Family Day Expo & Career Fair:
Location: Convention Center
Saturday, July 29 from 10:00am-5:00pm – Ribbon Cutting: 9:30AM
Free Health Screenings & FREE LEGAL EXPUNGEMENT & FREE SHOES & FREE BACKPACKS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES & FREE SHOES & FREE CAR GIVEAWAY – Convention Center
One of the standout events at the National Urban League Conference is the Community & Family Day Expo, presented in collaboration with the Houston Area Urban League, the City of Houston, and Center Point Energy.
We invite you to join us for a day filled with excitement, entertainment, and an array of valuable resources designed to cater to the needs of the entire family. This event is FREE! – REGISTER HERE to ensure we have enough for all.
Celebrities, National and Local Leaders & THOUSANDS of Houston Residents
Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit –
Saturday, July 29 @ 10:00am
Workshops, networking, and valuable resources aimed at supporting small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in launching, growing, and flourishing. This event is completely FREE, but advance registration is required due to limited space. Secure your today -> REGISTER HERE
ALSO…
MARC H. MORIAL:
20 YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone as we commemorate Marc H. Morial’s 20th Anniversary with the National Urban League. Throughout two decades of dedicated leadership, Marc Morial has made an indelible impact on the organization, tirelessly championing civil rights, urban advocacy, and social justice. His visionary guidance has propelled the National Urban League to new heights, empowering communities, and creating pathways of opportunity for all. As we honor this significant achievement, we recognize Marc Morial’s unwavering commitment and unwavering dedication to advancing equality, equity, and empowerment for every individual served by the Urban League’s network of affiliates nationwide.
All events at George R. Brown Convention Center unless otherwise noted.
A full schedule is available at the Conference website: https://conference.iamempowered.com/houston-2023/schedule