The highly anticipated 114th NAACP National Convention is coming to Boston from July 28 to August 1, 2023.
Focusing on the theme of “Thriving Together,” this year’s convention will bring change-makers from across the globe together to celebrate and uplift the Black community’s collective power.
“Each year, NAACP members, friends, and elected leaders gather at the Convention in a shared space that has proven vital for our collective growth and advocacy,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “This space, intently curated each year by the Association’s local branch, state conference, and national leaders, provides us with the ability to harness the power of Black America. We use this sacred time to inspire each other and align on what we need to do to continue pushing this country forward. Now more than ever, this sacred convening is crucial to our continued fight for the preservation of democracy. We are excited to bring vitality and vibrance to our roots in Boston, home of the Association’s first chartered branch.”
NAACP has assembled numerous elected officials, activists, scholars, organizers, faith leaders, entrepreneurs, and entertainers to network and exchange ideas addressing critical issues faced by Black communities.
Prominent figures speaking at this year’s convention include the following:
- Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States of America
- Hillary Clinton, Former Secretary of State
- Ayanna Pressley, United States Representative, Massachusetts
- Justin Jones, United States Representative, Tennessee
- Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of The National Council of Negro Women
- Kimberlé Crenshaw, Scholar and Civil Rights Activist
- Gary Chambers, Social Justice Advocate
- Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Author, “The Journey to Well”
- Rome Flynn, Actor, Netflix’s “Raising Dion” and Prime Video’s “With Love”
- Sheryl Underwood, Comedian, Host, ABC’s “The Talk”
- Adrian Holmes, Actor, Peacock’s “Bel-Air”
- Jasmine Guy, Actress, “A Different World”
- Lamman Rucker, Actor, OWN’s “Greenleaf”
- Essence Atkins, Actress, BET’s “First Wives Club”
- Marcus Scribner, Actor, Freeform “Grown-ish” and ABC’s “Blackish”
- Kadeem Hardison, Actor, “A Different World”
- Danielle Ponder, Singer
- Joy Taylor, Fox Sports Analyst and Co-Host of Speak on FS1
- Robert Kraft, Chairman of The Kraft Group and Founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS)
- Robert “Meek Mill” Williams, Co-Chair of REFORM Alliance, Grammy-nominated recording artist, and entrepreneur
- Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., Historian, Filmmaker, and Harvard University Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research
The annual convention will be composed of can’t-miss events including the grand opening of The Hub, an immersive cultural experience that will kick off with an opening block party feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff, the annual Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition, the Cinematic Shorts Competition, and the Spingarn Freedom Fund Awards Dinner honoring Dr. Hazel Dukes.
The NAACP’s 114th National Convention will also feature a panel discussion entitled “Hate Has No Home Here – A Moderated Conversation on Racism, Antisemitism, and Building Bridges to Fight All Hate” focused on the intersectionality of racial justice and the continued rise in hate crimes.
“Year after year, a resounding chorus of community members, celebrities, and elected leaders join us at the National Convention because this is where Black America reunites to recalibrate our compass. The Association and our network of activists have consistently influenced the moral direction of this country since its founding, proving time again that Black people can, and will, move mountains together,” said NAACP Convention Committee Chairman Michael Turner. “I look forward to another Convention filled with impactful and meaningful conversations and celebrations that will advance Black America’s vision for a society where we can thrive together.”
More information about the 114th NAACP National Convention, including a schedule of events and registration details can be found here.