NAN hosts 14th Annual Convention Featuring Rev. Jesse Jackson & Others

By Doshon Farad
This past weekend the National Action Network (NAN), headed by Rev. Al Sharpton, wrapped up its 14th annual convention. It was held from April 3-6 in New York City at the Times Square Sheraton Hotel in midtown.

As always, NAN’s highly energized conference drew thousands, mostly African-American, from across the country. Attendees included locals, activists, celebrities as well as very powerful political figures.

The event consisted of several workshops, each designed to discuss possible solutions to the problems affecting African-Americans and the nation in general. Almost every session was nearly filled to capacity by eager participants who were very anxious to dialogue with the panels of experts.

Among many things discussed this year was the plight of African-American males which was heavily emphasized throughout the convention. NAN organized a panel discussion titled, “Black Male Panel: Real Talk for Real Times”, moderated by New York 1 anchor Errol Louis. NBA All Star and author Etan Thomas was a panelist for this discussion. Your Black World caught up with him:

Also sitting on this same panel was the father of slain Chicago teenager Hadiya Pendleton, Nathaniel Pendleton. We asked him what he felt African-American men should be doing to decrease the violence that is plaguing African-American communities across the country:

On Thursday night April 4th, NAN hosted as part of its convention the yearly “Keepers of the Dream” Awards dinner. It featured a keynote address by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. During his address he assured the predominately black audience that prosecuting unjust voter laws would be a top priority. Later that night film maker and director Spike Lee and famed musician and composer Wynton Marsalis were both presented with the “Keepers of the Dream” Award.

On Saturday Morning April 6th, Rev. Sharpton moderated a livestreamed panel discussion titled “Measuring the Movement” in Harlem at the First Corinthians Baptist Church. The event featured remarks from civil rights pioneers Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Joseph Lowery and Juanita Abernathy who is the widow of close Martin Luther King Jr. confidante Rev. Ralph David Abernathy.

http://www.livestream.com/officialnationalactionnetwork/video?clipId=pla_81dde719-e846-4f33-9ab4-c4c4c612381c

Attending this year’s gathering was NAN’s National Director of Arts and Culture, Mr. Arnold Pennix:

Also attending was NAN’s National Youth Director, Ms. Mary Pat Hector, who on the last day of the convention moderated a panel discussion titled, “Youth Panel: The Power of One:

The event ended with a very spectacular fashion show put on by Sharpton Entertainment: