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HISTORICAL 2012 CHICAGO NATIONAL BLACK AGENDA CONVENTION

“ I’ve come upon a thought that I don’t know how to deal with at this moment. We fought long for integration and it looks like we are going to get it. I’m afraid that we are integrating into a burning house. America’s lost whatever little moral vision it had.”A nation that is not governed by morality and moral principles is a nation that’s headed for an abyss. Black People have been struggling to get into this system and maybe getting into a system that the final analysis is Sodom and Gomorrah will not work because it's selfish goals, it's need for profit, it's need for supremacy, it's need to be the best has clouded it's moral vision and with no moral vision, no nation can be healthy enough to lead it's people. Accept to destruction. (Harry Belafonte recalls a conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., five days before his murder, while reflecting on America’s System.)

“I come here tonight and plead with you. Believe in yourself and believe that you’re somebody. As I said to a group last night – Nobody, else can do this for us! No document can do this for us. No Lincolnian Emancipation Proclamation can do this for us. No Kennesonian or Johnsonian Civil Rights Bill can do this for us. If the Negro is to be free, he must move down into the inner resources of his own soul and sing with the pen and ink of self-assertive manhood his own Emancipation Proclamation.” Dr. King

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

I. Our Opportunity:

We have the opportunity to have an enormous impact in playing a vital role in helping to solve our community’s challenges, by convening nationally in Chicago from July 11, 2012 – July 15, 2012 to design a plan that will educate, organize and mobilize African Americans and people of African descent. The National Black Agenda Convention’s (NBAC) Historical 2012 Chicago National Black Agenda Convention (2012 Historical CNBAC) seeks to update our agenda with realistic, measurable solutions, and create a sustainable non-partisan infrastructure that will ensure progress, accountability and empowerment in our local communities nationally.

The Black national agenda has transitioned due to the strides of those leaders who fought before us in the “Civil Rights Movement” over the last 60 years. At present we have more Black elected officials, more Black millionaires and better technology and tools of communication than we have ever seen. The second challenge is how we bring the aforementioned assets, intellectual assets of our communities and the “power of the people” together to collectively agree on the agenda and have the will to develop the infrastructure to move the agenda forward.

II. Our Vision and Mission:

We envision that NBAC’s Historical 2012 CNBAC will be a continuation of the Agenda that was developed at the 2004 National Black Agenda Convention convened in Boston at Roxbury Community College, which was built upon other historical Black Conventions Agendas (i.e. 1840 in Albany, NY - 1875 in New Orleans, 1905 in Niagara, NY, 1972 Gary, Indiana, 1995 Million Man March in Washington DC, 2004 Boston National Black Agenda, 2004 Chicago National Convention Movement, etc.).

As Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York so eloquently states. “We need a mechanism which has as part of its mission, orienting and training individuals, constituencies and organizations in the art and science of capacity building to implement Black agendas. This is the missing ingredient in the equation.” This is the vision of NBAC’s Historical 2012 NAAAC.

National Black Agenda’s aims for the Historical 2012 Chicago National Black Agenda Convention (Historical 2012 CNBA) is to develop a nonpartisan coalition civic engagement strategy for creating and implementing a national agenda, primarily for the empowerment of African Americans, and those of African descent.

We are gathering in the tradition of the Gary Convention of 1972: “Here at Gary we are faithful to the best hopes of our fathers and our people if we move for nothing less than a politics which places community before individualism, love before sexual exploitation, a living environment

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before profits, peace before war, justice before unjust ‘order,’ and morality before expediency.” As well as the tradition of the Boston Convention of 2004: “We need an Agenda that energizes and guides our movement for self-determination, self-reliance and self-respect. We need an Agenda that informs and guides our domestic policy interests, and an Agenda that articulates and directs our international and foreign policy concerns, and we need an Agenda that keeps our leadership accountable to us. Our History and the sacrifices of our ancestors call us to this task of continuing the struggle for justice, liberation and peace.”

Our mission is to create and mobilize a national campaign for better jobs, quality education, improved health care, more affordable housing, increased business opportunities and ownership, wealth equity, environmental justice, equity in government, and safety to diminish the culture of complacency and mediocrity in our communities.

With each new generation comes a new responsibility. In 2012, our responsibilities and paths are clear. We will build upon the previous Black Convention’s Agendas and, develop a sustainable infrastructure for the advancement of our 2012 Historical Chicago National Black Agenda and beyond.

We invite the National Black organizations, local community based organizations, grass roots advocacy entities, women, youth and religious groups, professional associations, fraternities and sororities, entertainers, athletes, politicians, activists, scholars and leaders of all stripes to Chicago for the National Black Convention from July 11, 2012 – July 15, 2012.

It is vital that our conference be inter-generational in order to heal the fragmented relationship between our elders and our youth. An essential outcome for the National African American Political Convention is to establish a progressive long-term sustainable plan centered on a non-partisan agenda rather than party loyalty.

III. Organizational Structure:

National Black Agenda Convention (NBAC) was incorporated in Boston in 2003 under Chapter 180 of the General Laws of Massachusetts. The NBAC is recognized as a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The original Board of Directors were Charles McGee of California, Helen Moore of Detroit, Henry Taylor of Washington, DC, Joan Whitlow of Boston, Jemadari Kamara of Boston, Arthur William of Boston and retired Senator Bill Owens of Boston. The Board is being restructured to include individuals from other geographical areas, initially from Chicago, to enhance geographical participation and capacity.

Currently, the Chairman of the Board is Boston Massachusetts retired State Senator William (Bill) Owens. Others Board Members and members positioned are to be announced.

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The current “Steering Committee” is comprised of retired Senator Bill Owens, Jeffrie Baker, Revin Fellows, James E. Hill, Arthur William, and Justina L. Winfrey. Additional members will be brought on based upon their shared commitment to our vision and mission.

Historical 2012 Chicago National Black Agenda Convention will have an esteemed Honorary Advisory Committee, Convention Steering Committee. The professional staff (who will be members of the Executive Committee) will include the following; Finance, Program, Delegate Education, Entertainment, and Awards & Recognition. Additionally, included in our organization structure under Delegate Education are Regional Delegate Education Leaders, each of which would have a Community Educational Leader, College/University Leader and Organizational Leader having the responsibility for recruiting, coordinating, educating and providing feedback regionally.

THE STRUCTURAL COMMITTEE NATIONAL FIELD OPERATION

The NBAC has divided the nation into six regions: Northeast, Southeast, North Central, South Central, Northwest, and the Southwest.

The Northeast Region includes the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Islands, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

The Southeast Region includes Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The North Central Region includes the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

The South Central Region includes the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The Northwest Region includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska, and Hawaii.

The Southwest Region includes the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.

IV. Budget and Financing:

Projected cost of the Convention (Itemized Budget is available) using at market pricing has been projected at $444,000 not including any in-kind contributions.

Income (Itemized Budget is available) has been projected at a minimum of $1.6 M with sources of income from fundraising, registration fees, vendor fees and sponsorship.

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V. Marketing

The marketing will include print, social media networking websites cross marketing with partners. Interns and all partners will like FB page sending suggestions out to all partners through the entire NBAC and CNBAC fan page. The technology coordinator will work with the Convention staff and Executive Committee the ensure communication infrastructure can accommodate millions nationwide on the Google site.

VI. Our Objectives:

Our overarching objectives include: (1) Restoring, strengthening and promoting healthy African-American and people of families. (2) Designing strategies that will be effective in educating, organizing and mobilizing African Americans, those of African descent and other partners to promote “The Agenda.” (3) Establishing instruments to ensure the monitoring and fulfillment of a sustainable national agenda.

Convention Objective A: To assist the African American community and people of African descent in developing an Agenda of common interests to guide our community’s internal development.

Convention Objective B: To assist the African American community and people of African descent in developing a Domestic Public Policy Agenda, and an International Affairs / Foreign Policy Agenda for the advancement of people of African descent.

Convention Objective C: To develop practical skills to facilitate local Agenda building, community building, networking and dialogue.

Convention Objective D: To reenergize, reconnect the African American community and people of African descent with positive guidance toward social change through a non-partisan effort.

Convention Objective E: To design a follow-up strategy to structure and insure implementation of the findings and conclusions.

Strategy 1: Offset Convention Costs through Sponsorship and/or In-Kind.

Strategy 2: Launch campaign for collaborative partnerships and support.

Tactic: Begin obtaining the following data with interns.

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• Black Business Nationwide • Black Financial Institutions Nationwide • Black Student Union Associations • NAACP on college campuses • Black Organizations Nationwide • Black Museums Nationwide • Historically Black & Pre-Dominantly Black Colleges • Black Scholarships and Funding Organizations • Black College Tours Nationwide Sports Players & Celebs 501c3 • Grade Schools Predominantly Black • Regional Breakdown of African American Students and student of African

descent • National Caucus for State Legislatures • National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials • National List of African American Voters • Celebrities and Sports Players with 501c3 organizations • Google Apps Data Infrastructure Sponsorship & Training

Objective: Register Voters; African Americans and people of African descent Nationwide.

Strategy: Discounted Social Events nationwide, beginning in Chicago. A portion of the proceeds for each event hosted and cross marketed with promoters nationally, non-partisan organizations.

Tactic: Host National Voter Registration Education Workshops through partnerships.

• National Action Network • Magic Group • Roll Call • Black Wall Street Project • Operation 24; NAACP

Objective: Gather public opinion nationwide, on present issues.

Strategy: Host Issues Forums Nationwide at various locations, while broadcasting and archiving live on UStream and facilitated to our Google Satellite locations nationwide.

• Churches • Colleges & Universities • High Schools • Grade Schools

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Objective: Chicago State University be recognized as an Honorary HBCU.

Strategy: Amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: " ... any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation."

Objective: Pre & Post Convention Fundraisers at Social Clubs;

Strategy: Launch Weekly Fundraisers Nationwide during Black History Month.

Tactic: Each committee member or affiliate will host one fundraiser.

• Host Regional Nationwide Golf Outing in May, 2012 – August, 2012 • Partner to facilitate Voters Registration Drives at the fundraisers

Objective: Post – Convention Facilitate programs and partnerships globally, by educating

through, Leadership Training, Experience Training, Career Progression Training and other programs developed by the Convention.

• Entrepreneurship: Business development and Technology. Partnerships and Experience

training are integral for newly developing business’ to ensure sustainment. • Etiquette and Linguistics: Mentoring and engaging generations through language and

etiquette workshops. Focusing on breaking communication barriers, training for interactions with other communities and members of various ethnic groups. The idea, that if we can communicate effectively with each other, we can abolish gentrification in urban communities and rural communities.

• Sustainability: Green Gardens, Green Businesses, Green Homes, Green Schools. • Journalism: Promotes literacy and expression. Program participants acquire the

necessary skills for publishing, research and reporting. • Film making Workshop: Participants will learn photo journalism and film-making

techniques from seasoned Cinema-photography and Photographers. • Artist Development: Creative outlet in Arts and Culture.

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• Healthy, Minds, Bodies & Souls: Health, Stress Relief through sports and exercise. Options for Counseling and Esteem building.

• Communities in ACTION: Anchoring Communities Through Initiatives Overcoming Negativity. A resource hub for Constituent Services (Community Relations) globally.

• National African American Agenda Convention: Convene annually, to achieve the mission of the NBAC.

Objective: Historical 2012 Convention Documentary

Process of building and enhancing upon the Historical 2012 Focus on History, Present and Future Generations of African descendents Develop a 20 year strategic plan for the NBAC

Strategy: Social Media campaign utilizing Youtube, Ustream, Google Video, Vimeo and all other media streaming outlets with voice and audio.

Tactic: 1-3 min footage

Tactic: Nationwide referendums in all upcoming elections

Objective: We can work with various artists with non-profit organizations, from various

genres to host fundraisers, Golf event (July 11, 2012) and headline the Youth

Civic Education Day I Kick-Off Concert (July 13, 2012) and the Convention Closing

Day (July 15, 2012).

• CHICAGO BEARS- JERRY AZUMAH*ASAP Foundation

• CHICAGO BULLS, Luol Deng-The LUOL DENG Foundation

• KARL BENSON*Karl O. Benson Foundation

• Ludacris

• Jeezy

• Rick Ross

• Common

• Lupe Fiasco

• Dwayne Wade

• Kanye West

• Common

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• Lupe Fiasco

• Talib Kawlib

• Jay – Z

• Alicia Keys

Tentative Schedule – Final Schedule will be developed by the Convention Planning Committee. Wednesday - July 11, 2012; Golf Event with Entertainment (Convention Program Committee

will develop)

Thursday - July 12, 2012; Health Awareness & Community Sports Recreation Day (Convention

Program Committee will develop)

Friday - July 13, 2012; Youth Civic Education Day I

Saturday - July 14, 2012; Youth Civic Education Day II

Sunday - July 15, 2012;

CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORMS

Convention registration forms and vendor applications are available for all who want to register for the convention and sign up as a vendor. The form contains several packages that are adapted to meet people’s needs and desires. The forms also provide contact information for the hotel and for NBAC staff. Then forms embedded through Google docs. Will easily track and maintain data through Google.