Four-day gathering seeks to galvanize Black Americans against concerted efforts to undermine democracy, threaten the dream of Dr. King
In response of the continued and concerted efforts to undermine democracy in the United States, Rev. Al Sharpton will hold the 2023 National Action Network Annual Convention in New York City from April 12th through April 15th to galvanize the civil rights and social justice movement. To that end, the Founder and President of NAN has called upon the nation’s top government officials, entertainers, activists, scholars, media personalities, and financiers to develop real solutions to keep Dr. King’s dream for an equal, just America alive and strong.
“The theme of this year’s convention is Dealing with the Dream Under Threat because Dr. King’s vision for America is being rapidly blurred by those who want to take away our rights,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of NAN. “We are seeing the impacts at the ballot box, in the doctor’s office, and in the classroom. The NAN Convention has always focused on how we can the civil rights movement moving forward, but this year particularly demands we bring the top of the top together to figure out a way to not only preserve that dream but make it as clear as ever.”
The timing of this year’s convention is especially significant. NAN members will meet just a week after the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King and on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington.
Panels, plenary addresses, and events will all be rooted in the need to empower Black Americans during this vital time. More than a dozen top officials in the Biden administration are confirmed to appear during the four-day summit, reflecting the White House’s partnership with NAN on several initiatives for Black America the last two years. The convention will also feature entertainers Kerry Washington and Tyler Perry; the Mothers of the Movement; news figures Michelle Miller and Lawrence O’Donnell; business titans Robert F. Smith and Earvin “Magic” Johnson; and leaders of the Black Church, including Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of NAN and the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC).