NAACP Convenes 1st Annual Race Relations Summit In Jackson Tennessee

State and local civil rights leaders, Political & Religious leaders will hold a two-day meeting in Jackson, TN to explore the effects and outcome of race relations in Tennessee from 1954 to 2004 and to develop strategies to address the identified issues in the areas of Education, Health, Business/Economics and Government.

(PRWEB) February 4, 2004 --State and local civil rights leaders, Political & Religious leaders will hold a two-day meeting in Jackson, TN to explore the effects and outcome of race relations in Tennessee from 1954 to 2004 and to develop strategies to address the identified issues in the areas of Education, Health, Business/Economics and Government. The meeting is part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of Tennessee (NAACP) 1st Annual Race Relations Summit, February 27-28, 2004. The summit will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 1770 Hwy 45 Bypass in Jackson, TN. The summits theme is: The NAACP and Race Relations 1954 to 2004".

Gloria J. Sweet-Love, Tennessee State President, said: We are excited that the Procter & Gamble Company, Good Year Corporation, BellSouth, Bancorp, Mayor Farmer and Mayor Gist as well as others are partnering with us to make this endeavor a resounding success. The NAACP and leadership from across Tennessee are coming together to discuss and strategize on opportunities that will improve race relations and benefit all of our citizens. The political, economic, education, and health conditions across Tennessee are crying out for leaders to form new coalitions and to develop new strategies and consciousness. To not meet, plan, strategize and prepare would be irresponsible."

The objective of the Summit is:
•To create a forum for a discussion of Race Relations to heighten the awareness
of the divisive and insidious nature of racism.
• To identify specific problems in the focus areas of Education, Government,
Health, and Business/Economics
• To facilitate strategies to address these problems that prevent Tennesseans from
reaching our full potential

We believe that creating this dialogue and working to develop strategies for resolving the identified issues will facilitate improved Race Relations in Tennessee.

The NAACP has and continues to be a strong and positive influence in the community. As we go forward in this 1st Annual Summit, we will be working to design and implement an action plan to address those issues identified through our surveys and the summit. We can never reach our full potential until we are willing to sit down together as leaders and address the real issues of race in our community. We will be focusing a greater amount of energy on our youth who remain our greatest and most valuable resource.

Beginning with a Youth Forum and Town Hall meeting, the Summit will kick off on Friday evening, February 27 at 5:30 pm at Jackson State Community College. The panel will discuss the effects of Race on Relations in Tennessee from 1954 to 2004. The Summit will continue on Saturday from 8:30 am -- 5:30 pm with workshops and panel discussions. Summit attendees will explore how race impacts their day- to- day life in the areas of Health, Education, Business/Economics and Government. A focal point for the discussion will be how do we get greater involvement from the overall community to create a more vocal community". The Summit will climax with a Freedom Dinner at 6:30 pm on Saturday night.

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nations oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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For More Information Contact:   Tennessee NAACP Office @ (731) 660-5580