New Orleans Welcomes President and CEO Marc Morial, Hometown Hero, Celebrating 30-year Anniversary of His Election as Mayor
Hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana, the Conference will explore the challenges of systemic racism, discrimination, and barriers to opportunity in every aspect of the current social and economic landscape and bring together leading innovators and trailblazers in business and industry, government, and community.
The Conference marks a special homecoming for National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, who was elected to the first of his two terms as Mayor of New Orleans 30 years ago.
In addition to dynamic panel discussions, information-packed workshops and forums, and plenary sessions for registered attendees, the Conference features free events open to the public including a Career and Networking Fair, the Community & Family Day Expo, the Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit, and the Reclaim Your Vote rally at Xavier University.
Among the highlights of the conference is a special 40th anniversary tribute to Black women who have been crowned Miss America, including Vanessa Williams (1984), Dr. Debbye Turner Bell
(1990), Kimberly Aiken Cockerham (1994), Erika Harold (2003), Ericka Dunlap (2004), Caressa Cameron-Jackson (2010), and Nia Franklin (2019).
A full schedule is available on the Conference website; highlights are listed below.
Wednesday, July 24
- Career and Networking Fair, 11 AM-3 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency, Empire Ballroom
Attendees can refine resumes, consult career coaches, practice interviewing, and engage with hiring companies face-to-face.
- Reclaim Your Vote Rally, 4:00 PM-5:30 PM
Location: Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics Convocation Center
Advocates and allies defend democracy, reproductive freedom and sexual health, racial justice initiatives including DEI policies and affirmative action, LGBTQ+ rights, and other marginalized communities.
Thursday, July 25
- Opening Plenary: State of the Urban League Address, 8:30 AM-10:30AM featuring keynote address by Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League Location: Hyatt Regency, Elite Hall B
- Women of Power Awards Luncheon, special 20th Anniversary edition Location: Hyatt Regency, Celestin Ballroom
Host: Michelle Miller, CBS News National Correspondent, Co-Host of “CBS This Morning Saturday”
Honorees:
Sheryl Underwood, CEO, Pack Rat Production, Inc.; CEO, Pack Rat Foundation For Education
Arian Simone, Founding Partner & CEO, Fearless Fund
Karen Freeman-Wilson, President & CEO, Chicago Urban League
Swin Cash-Canal, SVP of Basketball Operations/Team Development, New Orleans Pelicans
Kim M. Boyle, Partner, Phelps Dunbar, LLP
African American Miss Americas
Friday, July 26
- Presidential Plenary, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM
Location: Hyatt Regency, Elite Hall B
Speakers:
Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network; Host, MSNBC’s PoliticsNation
Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO, National Coalition Black Civic Participation; Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable
Shana M. Broussard, Commissioner, Louisiana Federal Elections Commission (FEC) William Barnes, President, Advisory Council of Executives (A.C.E.), President & CEO, Birmingham Urban League
- Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala, 8:00 PM-10:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency, Celestin Ballroom
Honorees:
Leslie Odom Jr., Award-winning actor, singer, and songwriter
Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Tessie Prevost, Civil Pioneers and members of the New Orleans Four who, along with Ruby Bridges, integrated New Orleans’ public schools David & Tamala Mann, Award-winning gospel artists
Master P, rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur
Saturday, July 27
- Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM Location: Hyatt Regency, Celestin Ballroom
Pitch Competition, 1 PM
Ambitious entrepreneurs will compete for cash and prizes that can propel their businesses forward
- Community & Family Day Expo, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting at 10 AM
Location: **Ernest Morial Convention Center
FREE Backpacks & School Supplies
Health Screenings
Expungement Legal Clinic
Brilliant & Black-Owned Marketplace
NEW! National Association of Real Estate Brokers Building Generational Wealth Pavilion Project Ready College Fair, featuring 60+ colleges & universities, information on scholarships, financial aid, resources, and more.
