Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been another fantastic week!
After 40-something years, the 114th NAACP National Convention returned to Boston, MA, with a bang.
While it has come to a close, I thought we could reminisce on some of my favorite moments.
And, if you didn’t have the opportunity to attend, don’t fret. The 115th will be in Las Vegas, Nevada next year.
But let’s discuss a little about this year.
Walking around the convention, I kept hearing, “I didn’t know there were so many Black people in Boston.” And, ladies and gentlemen, we were reminded again this week that we stand firm in our city and are working hard to do great work!
The Hub, the center point of the convention, was a testament to this concept.
Walking around the HUB in the Boston Convention Center, I was introduced to an intersection of discussions on art, sports, entertainment, technology, and Black culture.
I stopped by our table for SparkFM, watched a little Spades game, observed some beautiful artwork from our talented younger generation, checked out Boston While Black and other vendors, and even saw fellow SparkFM DJ WhySham doing what she does best!
But it didn’t stop there. The NAACP National Convention shed light on our History!
For example, the PBS American Experience and GBH provided an exclusive look at their new film, The Busing Battleground, which tells the story of the struggle for Boston Black students to integrate various Boston schools.
There were even events for young professionals, allowing them to network and connect with others.
And conversations on closing the Black wealth Gap in the United States and racism, anti-Semitism, and White Nationalism.
Celebrities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Adrian Holmes, Essence Atkins, Meek Mill, Henry Louis Gates, Marcus Scribner, Jasmine Guy, and Kadeem Hardison came to hang with observers, delegates, and the youth.
Lastly, politicians like Kamala Harris, Andrea Campbell, Ayanna Pressley, Maura Healey, Michelle Wu, and others came to also share in the festivities.
It was a moment to see us all together in a room, young and full of wisdom; I could not stop smiling.
But more importantly, it made me wish it could be like this every day when I stepped outside my door because the convention allowed us to rest and bask in our culture for a few days with no judgment but only Black joy.
The theme, "Thriving Together," showed us that when we come together as one, we grow and elevate in ways we can't when we are separate.
The NAACP National Convention showed up and showed out.
Thank You to the NAACP's National Convention Planning Board for returning to Boston, Tanisha Sullivan, President of the Boston Branch of the NAACP, and all those who helped make this week possible.
If you were able to attend, let us know what your favorite moment was below. What are you looking forward to in Las Vegas next year if you couldn't participate in the festivities?
I can't wait until they are back in Boston again!
See you all in two weeks!
Peace + Prosperity,
Jadis "IHateAdulthood" DeShong-Venay