This year’s convention opening press conference invited and welcomed the NAACP to Philadelphia, the city that Chairman of the National Board of Directors, Roslyn Brock, explains as the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection. The press conference included commentary from members of the NAACP National Board of Directors as well as National President and CEO Cornell Brooks. Dwayne Jackson, President of the Pennsylvania State Conference as well as Minister Rodney Muhammad, President of the Philadelphia chapter of NAACP were also in attendance.
The press conference was sure to illustrate the convention’s theme of Pursuing Liberty in the Face of Injustice by touching on topics concerning the recent taking down of the Confederate Flag, America’s Journey for Justice as well as the ACT-SO Competitions held today.
“We firmly believe that courage must not skip this generation”. These wise words from NAACP President and CEO Cornell Brooks set the tone for today’s festivities. Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) national competitions kicked off today at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. High school ACT-SO students engaged in STEM programs to performing and visual arts categories participated in national competitions in their related field. Eager students from across the nation planned, practiced and perfected their talents for today’s competition. Chaurnice Cofer, a vocalist competing in the vocal contemporary even hand-made her gown to sing At Last by renowned vocalist Etta James.
Olympians in the fields of STEM, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Business, Humanities, Culinary Arts competed today and were judged in their respective fields. The winners will be announced on Sunday, July 12th at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Good Luck to all of the olympians!