PHOTO GALLERIES
DAY ONE – Friday, September 27, 2019
DAY TWO – Saturday, September 28, 2019
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The inaugural Empowerment and Policy Conference, powered by the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus (LLBC) and the Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA), is a statewide convening designed to examine systems, influence policy decisions and enact changes that will positively impact the African American community in Louisiana.
WHAT: 2019 Empowerment and Policy Conference
WHEN: Friday, September 27th -Saturday, September 28th
WHERE: Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel – New Orleans, LA
The Conference will provide a platform for local, state and national thought leaders, policy makers, sector leaders, community leaders and residents to discuss, debate, and advance conversation and thinking around a multitude of issues that impact African Americans in Louisiana. Conference panelists and guest speakers will engage attendees on economic, social, and political topics.
To inform the content of the conference, ULLA and LLBC are engaging residents across the state through a statewide listening tour that began in July. Community members are helping to shape the conference agenda by voicing their top concerns and sharing their visions for an equitable Louisiana.
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM
FEATURED SPEAKERS
John Bel Edwards
Governor, State of Louisiana
John Bel Edwards has served as the 56th Governor of Louisiana since 2016.He was previously the Minority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives for two terms, before being elected governor. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988, he served eight years as an Airborne Ranger on active duty with the United States Army. He went on to graduate Order of the Coif from Louisiana State University Law Center and set up a civil law practice before running for public office.
Cedric Richmond
U.S. Congressman
Congressman Cedric Richmond represents Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Cedric currently serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on the Judiciary. Outside of Committee service, he is a member of the New Democrat Coalition and currently serves as the House Democratic Assistant to the Majority Whip.
Marc H. Morial
President and CEO, National Urban League
Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. As Mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002, Morial led New Orleans’ renaissance, and left office with a 70% approval rating. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and African American Studies, he also holds a law degree from the Georgetown University.
Angela Rye
CNN Political Commentator
Angela Rye is Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, a political advocacy firm in the nation’s capital. She is a CNN Political Commentator and NPR Political Analyst. She has been featured as an influential politico, lawyer, and advocate by several publications and outlets from Marie Claire to Ebony and the Washington Post. Rye has an unwavering commitment to ensuring positive change in the political process.
Bakari Sellers
CNN Political Commentator
Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. In 2014 he was the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in the state of South Carolina. Sellers practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, SC and is a Political Commentator at CNN.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
DAY ONE – celestin ballroom
Friday, September 27, 2019
| 9:00AM – 5:00PM | CHECK-IN AND ONSITE REGISTRATION |
| 1:00PM – 1:55PM | WELCOME REMARKS AND OPENING |
| 2:00PM – 3:20PM | SESSION ONE: |
| Creating an Environment for African Americans to Thrive in Louisiana | |
|
Hear perspectives about the challenges and opportunities around key areas impacting the quality of life for African Americans in Louisiana. PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS) |
|
| 3:30PM – 4:50PM | SESSION TWO: |
| Mental Health: The Stigma that Stops Us | |
|
Access to quality services, substance abuse, stigma and medication in youth and adolescence are critical behavioral health issues across the state. Learn about strategies that increase knowledge about ways to advocate for a stronger mental health system. PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS) |
|
| 5:00PM – 6:30PM | SESSION THREE: ARMCHAIR CONVERSATION (MEET THE PANELISTS) |
| An armchair conversation with the dynamic CNN Political Analysts Angela Rye and Bakari Sellers on a range of topics impacting African Americans nationally. | |
| 6:30PM – 8:00PM | NETWORKING RECEPTION |
9:00AM – 5:00PM
CHECK-IN AND ONSITE REGISTRATION
1:00PM – 1:55PM
WELCOME REMARKS AND KEYNOTE
2:00PM – 3:20PM
SESSION ONE:
Creating an Environment for African Americans to Thrive in Louisiana
Hear perspectives about the challenges and opportunities around key areas impacting the quality of life for African Americans in Louisiana.
PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS)
Flozell Daniels, President of Foundation for Louisiana
John Matthews, Retired Louisiana Economic Development
America Lenox, Program Manager at Youth Rebuilding New Orleans
Lisa Delpit, Author and Education Expert
Tyronne Walker, VP of Communications and Public Affairs at GNOF
Tracey Ross, Associate Director of the All-In Cities Initiative, PolicyLink (Moderator)
3:30PM – 4:50PM
SESSION TWO:
Mental Health: The Stigma that Stops Us
Access to quality services, substance abuse, stigma and medication in youth and adolescence are critical behavioral health issues across the state. Learn about strategies that increase knowledge about ways to advocate for a stronger mental health system.
PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS)
Leon Winters, Winters Mental Health and Consulting
Dr. Denise Shervington, President of The Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies
Dr. Monteic Sizer, Executive Director of Northeast Delta Human Services Authority
Passion Taylor Payne, Corporate Program Director at Dimensional Behavioral Health Services
Pastor Eileen Johnson, Grace & Glory Family Worship Church Intl.
Dr. Rebekah Gee, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health
Shawn Kelly, Program Manager of Public Allies New Orleans
5:00PM – 6:30PM
SESSION THREE: ARMCHAIR CONVERSATION (MEET THE PANELISTS)
An armchair conversation with the dynamic CNN Political Analysts Angela Rye and Bakari Sellers on a range of topics impacting African Americans nationally.
6:30PM – 8:00PM
NETWORKING RECEPTION
DAY TWO – empire ballroom
SATURDAY, September 28, 2019
| 7:00AM – 1:00PM | CHECK-IN AND ONSITE REGISTRATION |
| 8:00AM – 8:50AM | WELCOME REMARKS |
| Keynote: Marc Morial (READ FULL BIO) | |
| 9:00AM – 9:50AM | SESSION FOUR: |
| $3.5 Billion…That’s Billion with a B | |
|
A discussion of the data and impact of racial inequities in Louisiana, considering the political, social, economic and cultural implications and strategies to create equity and opportunity for all. PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS) |
|
| 10:00AM -11:10AM | SESSION FIVE: |
| Intersection of Race, Identity, and Mission | |
|
A look at why acknowledging diversity within the African American community and finding common ground with other communities of color can lead to stronger organizational missions and greater impact. PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS) |
|
| 11:20AM – 12:10PM | SESSION SIX: |
| Lacing the Boot: Supporting a Whole-State Agenda | |
|
Exploring opportunities for closing the North-South divide in Louisiana through collaboration and a shared agenda. PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS) |
|
| 12:15PM – 12:30PM | REMARKS AND EVALUATION |
| 12:30PM – 2:00PM | CLOSING LUNCHEON |
| Keynote: Gov. John Bell Edwards Special remarks from Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond Closing conversation with Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus members |
7:00AM – 1:00PM
CHECK-IN AND ONSITE REGISTRATION
8:00AM – 8:50AM
WELCOME REMARKS
Keynote: Marc Morial (READ FULL BIO)
9:00AM – 9:50AM
SESSION FOUR:
$3.5 Billion…That’s Billion with a B
A discussion of the data and impact of racial inequities in Louisiana, considering the political, social, economic and cultural implications and strategies to create equity and opportunity for all.
PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS)
Ashley Shelton, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (Moderator)
Ava Dejoie, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission
Ernest Broussard, Business Development Manager at HGA
Krystal Allen, Founder & CEO of K. Allen Consulting
Jordan Collins, Technician at Gulf South Engineering and Testing10:00AM -10:50AM
SESSION FIVE:
Intersection of Race, Identity, and Mission
A look at why acknowledging diversity within the African American community and finding common ground with other communities of color can lead to stronger organizational missions and greater impact.
PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS)
Wendi Moore-O’Neal, Founder, Jaliyah Consulting (Moderator)
Lanor Curole, Tribal Administrator for United Houma Nation
Deon Haywood, Executive Director, Women with A Vision
Mary Moran, Executive Director, Co-Founder Our Voice Nuestra Voz
Hyma Moore, VP of External Affairs at GNO, Inc.
Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA11:00AM – 11:50AM
SESSION SIX:
Lacing the Boot: Supporting a Whole-State Agenda
Exploring opportunities for closing the North-South divide in Louisiana through collaboration and a shared agenda.
PANELISTS: (MEET THE PANELISTS)
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome (Baton Rouge)
Mayor LaToya Cantrell (New Orleans)
Mayor Jeff Hall (Alexandria)
Mayor Jamie Mayo (Monroe)
Mayor Adrian Perkins (Shreveport)
12:00PM – 12:30PM
CLOSING REMARKS AND EVALUATION
12:30PM – 2:00PM
CLOSING LUNCHEON
Ticketed attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a final closing lunch with special guest speakers and engaging table discussions.
HYATT REGENCY HOTEL NEW ORLEANS
HOTEL INFORMATION:
Our official conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Hotel New Orleans. The hotel is conveniently centered downtown near Champions Square, Smoothie King Center, and minutes from the historic French Quarter, Arts District, and Mississippi Riverfront.
HOTEL ADDRESS:
601 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113
NIGHTLY RATE: $179 (September 27, 2019)
HOTEL CONFERENCE LINK:
https://book.passkey.com/go/lablackcaucus
If you need additional assistance, please call Central Reservations toll free at 888.421.1442.