President Biden Will Deliver Keynote Speech During NAACP Convention

LAS VEGAS

The nation’s preeminent civil rights organization has announced President Joe Biden will join the group as a key speaker at the 115th National NAACP Convention taking place in Las Vegas from July 13 to July 17.

“Ahead of this crucial election, the NAACP has worked fervently to educate our members and our community on the importance of exercising our right to vote,” said NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson. “The rights of Black Americans are under rampant attack – from efforts to limit access to education, the mass absolving of diversity programs, and officials at every level actively working to dilute voting rights. There is no better time than now for our presidential candidates to reassure our community that our voices are heard and our concerns are a priority. We welcome President Joe Biden as a key speaker at our national convention. It is our hope that we leave Las Vegas feeling more empowered to cast our ballot – knowing in full faith that we will not be silenced.”

President Joe Biden engaged with The Association multiple times this spring. The current president and presidential candidate gave an address at the NAACP’s Brown v. Board 70th anniversary event at the National African-American History and Culture Museum. He also attended the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner in Detroit as a key speaker for the annual event.

The NAACP has shared invitations to both presidential candidates as a welcome to address its members at the upcoming national convention.

When elected officials, activists, organizers, faith leaders, entertainers, change-makers, NAACP members and local residents convene to celebrate the Black community’s collective power, they will be focusing on the theme, “All In.”

Through workshops, plenary sessions, and panel discussions, convention organizers say they will forge a path forward on the most pressing issues facing Black communities today, including voter suppression, student debt, DEI, cannabis-related convictions and reproductive rights.

In addition to President Joe Biden, major speakers will include: Rashida Jones, MSNBC President; Arian Simone, CEO of the Fearless Fund; Symone Sanders-Townsend, Political commentator and MSNBC Co-Host; Dr. Richard Besser, CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and more.

NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson explained the theme: “This year,  we are All In on our ongoing fight for the preservation and advancement of democracy. We are excited to bring the energy and vibrance of the Black community to our thriving Las Vegas branch.”

Additional events at this year’s national convention include The Neighborhood, the epicenter of empowerment where NAACP programs, membership, and campaign activations take centerstage; the annual Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition, the Cinematic Shorts Competition; and the Spingarn Freedom Fund Awards Dinner.

For more information about the 115th NAACP National Convention, including a schedule of events and registration details, visit naacp.org/convention.