Newsroom

image of kids

print text size - text size +

2012 National Conference Plenary Sessions

Why We Must End Massive Economic Inequality in America and Rescue Our Children from Epidemic Poverty, Unjust Budget Cuts and a Vanishing American Dream

Angela Glover Blackwell calls out young advocates
Dr. David T. Ellwood rings the alarm for the nation
Robert Greenstein is ready to take action
Sen. Steven Horsford wants America to prioritize our children
Heather McGhee will fight to protect your right to vote
Assemblymember Holly J. Mitchell sees trouble for our children
The Hon. Mark Ridley-Thomas is on-mission to take action

Why the Middle School Years Matter for Black Boys Opening Session for the “Middle School Matters: Improving the Life Course of Black Boys” Symposium

Michael Nettles: Intro
Geoffrey Canada: Why Middle School Matters
The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin: What Morehouse Does
Geoffrey Canada: Zero Tolerance in Schools
Ron Mason: Thomas Jefferson’s Wolf

Where Has All the Progress Gone? Are We Moving Backward in a Second Post-Reconstruction Era? How Do We Move Forward Again?

Khalil Gibran Muhammad: Stop Blaming The Victims
David Lawrence:
The Myth of Post-Racialism
Bernard Lafayette: Class Trumps Race
James Lawson:
King’s ‘Mountain’ Yet To Be Climbed

The National Imperative for Preparing All Children for School and Building a Public Education System That Prepares All Children and Our Nation for the Future

Geoffrey Canada: Poverty Knows No Color
Ben Bernanke:
Save America, Save Our Children
Craig Ramey:
Fear of a Level Playing Field
Deborah Jewell Sherman: Compassion, Not Suspension for Our Children
Robert Belfanz: School’s In: Where are Our Children?
Jerry Weast:
Support Our Teachers
Jonah Edelman:
We Have to Support our Superintendents

Ending the Cradle to Prison Pipeline™ and Mass Incarceration – the New American Jim Crow

Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow
Bryan Stevenson:
The War on Crime
Mayor Nutter:
Invest in Children
Patricia Martin:
Bias and Justice
Preston Shipp:
The Person Behind the Crime
Janet Wolf:
From Charity to Justice
Ndume Olatushani:
In His Own Words
Ending the Cradle to Prison Pipeline™

Saving Democracy: Creating One America

Barbara Arnwine: Fighting Voter Suppression
Wade Henderson: Democracy Under Attack
Arturo Vargas:
Latino Voice, Latino Vote
Robert Edgar:
Be the Change

Building Personal, Public and Spiritual Will to Protect Children — Our Poorest Americans

Jeff Johnson:
How to Act
Fred Senn:
How to Get Attention
Lan Bentsen:
Creating Partnerships
Peggy Lewis: Research, Respond, Report
Kent Wong:
Create Change

National and Racial Healing Town Hall

Maya Angelou
Trayvon Martin’s Parents
Vincent Harding:
Are You Ready to Heal George Zimmerman?
Benjamin Crump: Justice for Trayvon
Clemmie Greenlee: Power in Redemption
Vincent Harding: Creating America
Ronald Odom Sr.:
Losing a Child
Kim Odom:
How to Forgive
Joyce Johnson: Restorative Justice
Nelson Johnson: Peace Process

Closing Our Courage and Action Gaps All Across Our Land and Action Charge

Carlos Amador:
Rise Up, Take Action--Mobilize
Catherine Eusebio: Police and Donut Holes
Ruby Bridges:
And a Child Shall Lead Them
Dolores Huerta: Together, We Can Make a Difference