The National Association for the Advancement Of Colored People of Alaska-Oregon-Washington State is holding its annual Spring Conference from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, at the Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, Wa. The theme for the convention is "One Hundred Years of Faith, Hope and Courage" and is hosted by the tri-cities community.
Oscar Eason, Jr., president of the regional NAACP said "it was 100 years ago in 1909, that a multiracial group of progressive thinkers formed and established an organization with the objective of insuring the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority groups. Our mission has not changed so we must continue the goal of eliminating racial prejudice and removing all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. Yes we are 100 years old and in that time we have worked successfully with allies of all races who believe in and stand for the principles on which the organization was founded. Throughout its history, some of America's greatest minds have worked to effect change as we must continue to do today."
Working within the theme, "One Hundred Years of Faith, Hope and Courage", the conference includes workshops titled:
"Strategies for Equity in Education" facilitated by The Rev. Phyllis Beaumonte, BA, MA, MAPS and Chair, AOWSAC Education Committee.
"Jobs, Equity, Justice and Equal Opportunity" facilitated by Mr. Lionel Collins, Chair of the AOWSAC Labor and Industry Committee.
"Advocating for Justice through the Social Gospel" facilitated by The Rev. Phyllis Beaumonte, BA, MA, MAPS and Chair, AOWSAC Education Committee.
"Keep Your Home, Know Your Loan" facilitated by Marvetta Toler, Chair, AOWSAC Housing Committee.
The Luncheon on Saturday, March 21, will feature Mr. Edgar Hargrow. Mr. Hargrow helps and empowers people and organizations through mutual respect and communication in the uniqueness of the individual.
The Guest Speaker at the Banquet that evening is Mr. Rufus Friday, publisher of the TriCity Herald and a native of South Carolina. He worked for the Raleigh News & Observer and worked for 11 years for the Gannett Corporation as circulation director for several newspapers, including the Jackson Sun in Tennessee, the Rockford Register Star in Illinois and the Montgomery Advertiser in Alabama.
For more information about this great event, contact Esmeralda Allen, Chair, AOWSAC Communications, Press and Publicity Committee at 541-829-0501.