The NAACP Youth and College Division has a great week of activities scheduled at this year's #NAACP106. Leaders in social justice are set to train and energize youth and college activists from across the country.
Make sure to use the hashtags #NAACPYC and #NAACP106 when sharing your moments on social media. Some of your posts may be shared on @NAACPConnect's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook profiles.
Here are this year's event highlights.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Event: Joint Youth and College / ACT-SO Movie Screening: “Brotherly Love”
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 AM
Location: Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Event: “Sunday Night Live: Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love”
Time: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Location: Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel
Monday, July 13, 2014
Event: Roy Wilkins Youth Leadership Luncheon
Time: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Speaker: Rahiel Tesfamariam (Founder and Publisher, Urban Cusp Magazine)
Description: Leadership is really the foundation and legacy of the Youth and College Division. This luncheon will celebrate what leadership means to today’s generation of youth freedom fighters. This luncheon is intended to reminder our young people of the need for strong community leadership and offer them a 21st century approach to leadership, especially in this post-Ferguson climate.
Event: Youth Night Public Mass Meeting: “I, Too, Sing America: Defining OUR Narrative”
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Speakers: Lauren Williams (Features Editor, Essence Magazine), Hosea Chanchez (Actor, BET’s The Game), Dr. Alex Ellis (Founder, Tied to Greatness),
Performers: John Davis, Lyriq McQueary and The Philadelphia Dance Company
Description: Following the killings of several unarmed young people of color at the hands of law enforcement, we have seen a resurgence of youth activism and local community engagement. We have seen countless incidents of racism, making national headlines, from local communities, corporate boardrooms and college campuses. As a nation we are again grappling with the notion of race and its role in our politics, economics, education, religions and world. As a community, we have seen these incidents before but this time is different. Now, more than ever, young people are grabbing the “microphone” in communities across the country and online to tell their stories. The millennial generation of activists are redefining this country’s ‘black narrative’ and giving new voice to their lived experiences. Much like Langston Hughes, this generation is shouting ‘I, Too, Sing America.’ This evening will highlight their narratives and offer a deeper discussion on how Youth and College attendees can also amplify their voices, while uniquely celebrating all that we are as a community.
Event: Youth Social Activity
Time: 10:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Location: Ultrazone Laser Tag and Arcade
Event: Young Professionals Reception
Time: 10:00 PM – 1:30 AM
Location: Stratus Rooftop Lounge
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Event: Clara Luper Luncheon
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Speaker: David Johns (Executive Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans)
Description: This luncheon pays homage to Ms. Clara Luper, long-time NAACP Youth Advisor, and honors the work of our Youth and College advisors who give tirelessly throughout the year to ensure our youth have the skills and resources to be successful. We will also honor our Clara Luper Youth Advisors of the Year. The keynote address during this luncheon is designed to highlight the importance of being mentored and serving as a mentor as a key function of developing the next generation of NAACP leaders.
Event: Youth and College Concurrent Workshops
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Topic: “America After Ferguson: What Should Be Happening in Local Communities”
Speakers: Jamira Burley (Amnesty International USA) and Cedric Lawson (BYP 100)
Description: The country experienced a resurgence of young people protesting and becoming active around issues of injustice following the murder of Michael Brown. Communities across the country began to see young people rising to leadership and declaring #BlackLivesMatter. However, many young people are still wondering what are next steps in addressing the issues of police brutality and race relations in their local communities. This interactive workshop serves as a platform for young people to critically think about how they can address these issues in their communities under the Youth and College Division’s #IMatter campaign.
Topic: “More than a #Hashtag: The Power of Social Media Activism”
Speakers: Bilal Morris (Online Editor, Radio One Philadelphia), Bethany Criss-June (Deputy Membership Director, NAACP) and Charles Belk (Producer/Activist)
Description: Today’s generation of youth activists are using social and digital media to engage their communities at rapid speeds. However, there continues to be dialogue about how to translate what happens online with tangible engagement in local communities. This interactive workshop will examine how to use online mediums to build relationships and how to leverage those relationships to push forward change offline.
Topic: “Get Your Money Straight: Tools for Black Building Wealth EARLY”
Speakers: Michael Parker (Founder, YOU are a CEO)
Description: One of the greatest challenges in the African American community remains our lack of financial literacy and education. Our young people are graduating from college with staggering amounts of student loan debt and do not have the tools to make financially smart and healthy decisions. As a result, they become high-wage earners with little to no ability to build wealth. This interactive session will provide tangible, concrete steps for people of all ages to begin building a better financial future.
Event: Juanita Jackson Mitchell Youth Freedom Fund Dinner
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Description: Ms. Juanita Jackson Mitchell was the NAACP’s first Youth Secretary in March 1936. Her contributions and tireless efforts laid the foundation for how the Association continues to engage young people more than 78 years later. This signature event will highlight the work of our local Youth and College units and offer inspiring words of encouragement as Youth and College delegates accept the call to stand up and fight for justice.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Event: Youth and College Day of Service
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Cobbs Creek Recreation Center and Tacony Watershed Project