State NAACP representatives gather in Memphis
Conference sessions focus on education
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NAACP members from across the state are in Memphis this week to discuss education, voting rights and other advocacy issues as part of the organization’s annual conference.
The 70th annual NAACP Tennessee State Convention and Civil Rights Training Advocacy Conference began Thursday at First Baptist Broad Church.
On Friday, members convened at the Fogelman Executive Center and Hotel on the University of Memphis main campus for a speech from Delisa Saunders, deputy director of human rights and community relations for the District of Columbiabased American Federation of Teachers.
“While the AFT is my daytime job, the NAACP is my lifetime job,” Saunders told the audience of about 50 people.
Saunders spoke for roughly 30 minutes, encouraging the NAACP to do its part in advocating for labor unions, voter rights, and the right to fair and equal public education. She implored the audience to partake in early voting and voiced her support for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, whom the American Federation of Teachers has endorsed.
“Our vote is our power, our vote is our voice, we got to use it,” Saunders said.
Tennessee NAACP president Gloria J. Sweetlove said many of the conference sessions purposefully focused on education.
“From our very start 107 years ago, part of our mission statement is to enhance the educational, political” and economic equality of minority groups, Sweetlove said. “That is part of our agenda, that is what we do.”
The conference concludes tonight with the Freedom Awards Dinner.