FLORIDA STATE CONFERENCE NAACP85TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

Mr. Leon Russel speaking at the church before the candidate forum.

The Florida State Conference held its 85 th Annual Convention from September 17–19 in

Orlando, Florida, at the Rosen Centre Hotel. The convention theme, “WE THE

PEOPLE,” was especially fitting: it affirmed the collective strength of Florida’s citizens

while underscoring the solemn responsibility the NAACP carries at this pivotal moment

in the state’s history.

NAACP delegates from across the state gathered to reaffirm our shared commitment and

take action against the injustices and policies affecting all Floridians. Workshops

included Education, Armed Services and Veterans Affairs, Health, Housing,

Environmental and Climate Justice- the State of Black Farmers and Black Landowners in

Florida, and Economic Development, with Civic Engagement/Political Action training

being the primary topic of discussion. Chairman Leon Russell; Chairman of the National

Board of Directors-NAACP, provided a Power Hour, stating, “We will organize our

communities across the nation to use the most powerful tool available to them-their

voices, their votes.” The Youth and College Division participated in a full day of Civic

Empowerment training on Saturday that included preparing young people to STEP INTO

THEIR POWER AND LEAD THE MOVEMENT, MOBILIZE TO WIN and PHONE

BANKING TRAINING (making phone calls to voters) provided by Leader Brandon

Johnson, NAACP, National GOTV Manager.

Cynthia Slater and Stephanie Owens prepare to moderate the symposium.

The Florida State Conference held a Candidates Forum on Thursday evening at New

Covenant Baptist church under the leadership of Reverend Leroy Rose. Stephanie

Owens; Senior Advisor, Voter Protection at the National Office of the NAACP and

Cynthia Slater; 2 nd Vice President and Chair of the Political Action Committee of the

Florida NAACP moderated the Forum.

Candidates from both parties were invited to participate in the forum, including

candidates running for Governor, US State Senate, Attorney General and Chief Financial

Officer. Candidates who confirmed and participated in the forum included Candidate for

Governor-David Jolly, Attorney General- Jose Javier Rodriguez, and Chief Financial

Officer- Annette Taddeo. US Senate-Angie Nixon shared that she could not be in

attendance due to a conflict in scheduling (Black Caucus meeting in DC). However, she

stated that she would have loved to be in attendance. Gwendolyn Graham, running mate

(for lieutenant governor) for candidate David Jolly, and the daughter of the Late-Former

Governor, Bob Graham, was also in attendance. The meeting was well attended, and

several questions were directed at the candidates.

The Saturday Night closing ceremony’s Freedom Fund Banquet was transformed by the

speaker of the hour, Leader Demar L. Roberts, member of the National Board of

Directors of the NAACP. Roberts leads key committees focused on economic

development and education. Although not in attendance at the Banquet, Cynthia Slater,

Vice President and Civic Engagement Chair of Florida NAACP, was recognized by the

State Conference and received a Service Award. President Donald Hart recognized VP

Slater for her leadership and her work in Civic Engagement.