Opening Plenary: State of Black America: How Do We #ProtectourProgress?

The past eight years have seen great strides and unprecedented progress for the nation and for African Americans. Under the Obama Administration, high school graduation rates for African Americans increased from 66.1% to 85%, 62 African Americans were appointed to serve as Federal judges, and 29.8 million Americans received health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.  This progress is now threatened by aggressive executive orders, Cabinet appointments, and regressive policy implementation. How do we #ProtectOurProgress?  Join us as we send a clear message to stakeholders and Congress that we will not go backwards but instead chart a path to sustained progress for our communities as we celebrate also the 10th anniversary of the Project Ready program creating a pipeline to college for our future leaders.

Focus:
Jobs, Education, Health & Justice

Presiding:
Marc H. Morial  

Welcome: 
The Honorable Lyda Krewson, Mayor, City of St. Louis, MO

Sponsor Remarks:
Tony West, General Counsel, Executive Vice President, Global Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary at PepsiCo    

Trustee Remarks:
Tim Murphy, General Counsel and Chief Franchise Officer, Mastercard and NUL Trustee    

Showcase:
Project Ready 10th Anniversary Recognition
 
Speakers:   
Allan C. Golston, President of the United States Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation    
Angela Rye, Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies; CNN Political Commentator and NPR Political Analyst    
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Sociology Professor, Georgetown University, Author, Tears We Cannot Stop    
Michael A. Grant, J.D., President, National Bankers Association    
Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine    
The Honorable Tishaura Jones, Treasurer, City of St. Louis    
Tamika D. Mallory, President, Mallory Consulting, National Activist, Champion of the New Civil Rights Movement