fbpx
Connect with us

National

From San Antonio to Detroit – NAACP Convention

SAN ANTONIO OBSERVER — The event, to be hosted by the Detroit branch NAACP, the organization’s largest branch, will take place July 20-24.

Published

on

Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony talks about the national convention coming back to Detroit next year.

By Shawn Lewis

General Motors Co., Quicken Loans, Ford Motor Co. and DTE Energy Co. are among the corporate sponsors announced Thursday to serve on a blue ribbon committee for the 110th National NAACP Convention, to be held next summer in Detroit.

The event, to be hosted by the Detroit branch NAACP, the organization’s largest branch, will take place July 20-24 and is expected to bring in at least $11 million to southeast Michigan, according to organizers.

Branch president the Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony was flanked by about 25 dignitaries, including Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, at the NAACP headquarters on Second Avenue as he announced the sponsors.

“We invite every business that wants to be a part of our blue ribbon host committee to come forward,” said Anthony. “Detroit is the place to be because so much is happening and we want to be part of the journey.”

Other companies on the host committee include Chemical Bank and the Skillman Foundation. The NAACP still is in the process of securing addition partners.

This marks the fourth time the organization, founded in 1909, will bring the convention to Detroit. The first time was in 1921, and the most recent was in 2007.

The convention is expected to draw an estimated 10,000 members and guests to the city.

NAACP national president Attorney Derrick Johnson, a native Detroiter who attended Western International High School, was welcomed to the city and also addressed those present.

“It is an honor and privilege for me to be here,” he said. “The Detroit branch has always played a significant role in the civil rights movement, from former mayor Coleman Young to being the place Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream,’ speech first was recorded.”

Johnson added, “Members are prepared for the fight ahead of us, and preparation will take place during the convention.”

This article originally appeared in the San Antonio Observer.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NEWS UPDATES IN YOUR INBOX


Sign up to receive the latest news in your inbox

* indicates required

Like BlackPressUSA on Facebook

Advertisement

Advertise on BlackPressUSA

advertise with blackpressusa.com