Join us for the
2024 NNPA ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION
Empowering Black Press, Communities, Families and Voter Turnout
June 19 – 22, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
200 International Drive
Baltimore, MD
Reserve your guest room now at the NNPA discounted rate of $310 by clicking this link and applying the code: 240616NNP
Click here to register for the event. Afterwards, follow the instructions to download the NNPA Event App for updates and event schedules.
EVENT SCHEDULE
(CLICK ON SESSION TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS)
08:00 - 17:00
Cobalt Pre-Function I
11:30 - 13:00
Sienna Meeting Room, Second Floor
13:00 - 14:00
Cobalt I, Second Floor
14:15 - 15:30
Sienna Meeting Room
19:00 - 22:00
Splash Terrace, 4th Floor, Four Seasons Hotel
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM — Chairman’s Reception
GREETINGS and ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: NNPA Chair, Bobby Henry, Sr. NNPA Local Host Publishers: Dr. Frances Draper, Publisher, Afro American News and NNPA First Vice Chair Joy Bramble, Publisher, The Baltimore Times and the Annapolis Times NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Special Guests: Ron Busby, President and ...07:30 - 17:00
Cobalt Pre-Function
08:30 - 09:45
Grand Ballroom A
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM — Convention Opening Prayer Breakfast
Greetings, Sponsor Acknowledgments, Program Introduction: Chairman, Bobby Henry, Sr. NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Spiritual Message and Song Rev. Dr. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA The Farmer Sisters Gospel Crusade10:00 - 11:00
Cobalt Ballroom
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM — Keynote Presentation
Topic: What is at Stake for African Americans: the 2024 Vote Presenter: Damon Todd Hewitt, President & Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law11:05 - 12:30
Cobalt Ballroom
11:05 AM – 12:30 PM — GenZ Panel Discussion
Topic: Generation Z Voter Issues Moderator: Rev. Mark Thompson, Make It Plain, NNPA Global Digital Transformation Director Panelists: Ashleigh Fields, Journalist, Attended Howard University Savannah Grooms, Student Journalist, University of Maryland Melvin Harris, Jr., Journalist, North Carolina A&T State University Phillip Lewis, Journalist, Huffington Post, Michigan State Graduate Brielle ...12:45 - 14:00
Grand Ballroom A
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM — Lunch Panel – Hosted by General Motors
Topic: From NNPA Intern to Full-time: How the Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected Program is Fueling the Workforce of the Future Panelists: Raza El, Marketing Analyst – General Motors; Amiyah Fountain, 2024 DTU Intern, Clark Atlanta Student; Karen Carter Richards, Publisher Houston Forward Times Moderator: Nicole Simmons, Senior Manager DEI ...14:00 - 14:30
Grand Ballroom A
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM — MOU Presentations
Brenda H. Andrews, Publisher, New Journal and Guide, Chair MOU Committee14:35 - 15:15
Cobalt Ballroom
2:35 PM – 3:15 PM — Panel Discussion: Get Your Money Right for Your Business: Special Edition!
Topic: Get Your Money Right for Your Business: Special Edition! Moderator: Erica Miles, Senior Consultant, SVP Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, Wells Fargo Overview: How to develop your business plan and balance sheet; how to access business banking services and products; succession planning; venture capital, private equity and hedge ...15:15 - 17:30
1601-03 East North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21213.
3:15 PM – 5:30 PM — Tour and Refreshments at Blacks in Wax Museum
3:15 PM – 5:30 PM Tour and Refreshments at Blacks in Wax Museum 1601-03 East North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21213. Bus Pickup to Blacks in Wax – 3:15PM – 3:30 PM Bus Depart to Four Seasons Hotel – 5:00 PM19:30 - 21:30
Cobalt Ballroom
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM — NNPA Fund Messenger Awards Reception
*Reception, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar* Mister and Mistress of Ceremonies: Lester A. Booker, Jr., NNPA Fund Community Board Member, VP and Head of DE&I Communications, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Jocelyn K. Coley, NNPAF Community Board Member, Co-Founder & CEO, The Allen Lewis Agency Opening Remarks and Occasion Karen ...07:30 - 17:00
Cobalt I Pre-Function
08:30 - 09:45
Grand Ballroom A
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM — Breakfast – Hosted by Pfizer
Bless the Food 8:35 AM– 8:45 AM Pfizer Greetings from Catherine Luu-Munoz, Community Activation Health Lead 8:46 AM – 9:00 AM NNPA Chair, Bobby Henry Sr., Announce and Introduce New NNPA Members 9:05 AM – 9:35 AM Brief Presentation Topic: Using AI Technology to Extend Audience Reach and Ensure ...09:50 - 10:45
Cobalt Ballroom
9:50 AM – 10:45 AM — FIRESIDE CHAT: Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Topic: Climate Change and Environmental Justice The Honorable Michael S. Regan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency10:50 - 11:50
Cobalt Ballroom
10:50 AM – 11:50 AM — Google News Initiative Presentation
Topic: News Consumer Insights Presenter: Chrissey Towle, Google, Director of News Partnerships11:55 - 12:45
Cobalt Ballroom
11:55 AM – 12:45 PM — Google Transformation Tech (GNI) Panel
Topic: Transformation Tech Success: How NNPA Members Used Their $20k GNI Grant… And You Can Too! Facilitator: Todd Stauffer, Transformation Tech Lab Director, Google News Initiative Casey Pallenik, Lab Director, Google News Initiative Ashley Woods Branch, Program Manager, Google News Initiative Panelists: Sonny Messiah Jiles, President and CEO, The ...13:00 - 14:00
Grand Ballroom A
1:00 PM- 2:00 PM — Lunch Panel – Hosted by Reynolds
Topic: The Importance of the 2024 Black Vote and Public Policy Panelists: Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), Treasurer of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) Special Agent Trevor Velinor (Ret.), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Rahn Bailey, MD, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Assistant Dean of ...14:15 - 14:40
Cobalt Ballroom
2:15 PM – 2:40 PM — NNPA Membership Meeting
Announcements, Instructions re Regional Meetings14:40 - 15:00
Cobalt Ballroom
2:40 PM – 3:15 PM — REGIONAL MEETING BREAKOUTS
Region 1 – CERULEAN, 4TH FLOOR Region 2 – VERONA, 4TH FLOOR Region 3 – VERIDIAN, 4TH FLOOR Region 4 – MARINE, LEFT OF COBALT Region 5 – INDIGO, RIGHT OF COBALT18:30 - 19:30
GRAND BALLROOM PRE-FUNCTION AND TERRACE
19:30 - 21:30
GRAND BALLROOM
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM — 2024 NNPA National Legacy Awards Gala Dinner (Black tie Optional)
Blessing of the Food – TBD Video Messages from NNPA Sponsors Awards Presentations: The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, U.S. Congressman The Honorable Michael Regan, U.S. Cabinet Secretary Entertainment: A Tribute to Frankie Beverly, featuring Paul Bumbry and One Vision Band A Double O Production DJ – Dancing and Fellowship A ...08:30 - 10:00
Grand Ballroom A
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM — Breakfast Session
Publisher Think Tank16:00 - 18:00
Cruise Dinner on the “Majestic”
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Cruise Dinner on the “Majestic” and Presentation
(NNPA will have the entire Cruise Ship) Topic: From Shackles to Ownership: A Reflection on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Presenters: Regi Taylor, The Baltimore Times David Bramble, President and CEO MBE Realty, New Owner of the Baltimore Harbor Overview: Discover the economic, legal, and logistical infrastructure that fueled the slavery ...18:30 - 18:31
OUR PARTNERS
OUR SPONSORS
