Media Advisory: American Association for Affirmative Action Hosts Town Hall Meeting on Affirmative Action

"AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN A 'POST - RACIAL' ERA" Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lincolnshire, IL Saturday, April 4, 2009, 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Washington, DC (PRWeb) March 24, 2009 -- To culminate its 35th Annual Conference, the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) is hosting a Town Hall meeting on a topic that is current and timely: Affirmative Action in a so-called Post-Racial Era. This year, much has been said about the election of the nation's first African-American president. Some have even suggested that his election indicates that America is no longer challenged with issues of discrimination and inequality. Thus, they argue, affirmative action is no longer needed. The panelists participating in AAAA's Town Hall meeting on Affirmative Action will address the question, "Is Affirmative Action needed in a presumed "post-racial" (and post-gender) era?"

AAAA is proud to have outstanding panelists for the AAAA Town Hall on Affirmative Action: Laura S. Washington, moderator, is the Ida B. Wells-Barnett University Professor at DePaul University in Chicago and a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Naomi Tutu, daughter of Bishop Desmond Tutu, is founder of the Tutu Foundation and Associate Director of the newly formed Office of International Programs at Tennessee State University in Nashville. N. Keith Chambers is Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Anjali Thakur is Deputy Director for Field Operations and Director of the Americans for a Fair Chance Project for the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Lauren Sugerman, an elevator mechanic, is co-founder of Chicago Women in Trades and Gregory Cendana is Vice-President of the United States Student Association. The general public is invited. For more information, go to www.affirmativeaction.org.

What: Affirmative Action Town Hall Meeting with American Association for Affirmative Action and Leading Experts

Where: Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lincolnshire, IL, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069, Toll-Free #: 800-228-9290, Phone: 1-847-634-0100

When: Saturday, April 4, 2009 - 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Press Availability with Panelists;

9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Town Hall Discussion

Founded in 1974, the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) is a national not-for-profit association of professionals working in the areas of affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity. AAAA helps its members to be more successful and productive in their careers. It also promotes understanding and advocacy of affirmative action to enhance access and equality in employment, economic and educational opportunities.

888 16th Street, NW, Suite 800 * Washington, D.C. 20006 *202-349-9855 ex 1857 *

800-252-8952 * Fax: 202-355-1399 * www.affirmativeaction.org *

###