NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BLACK MAYORS CELEBRATES ANNUAL CONVENTION

 Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) - The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) will host its 35th Annual Convention October 21-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada, under the moniker, "Working Together Works." Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Convention Host Committee Chair Commissioner Lawrence Weekly will welcome more than 2,000 attendees, which will include mayors, local and statewide elected officials, Congressional leaders, federal department representatives, foreign dignitaries, civic leaders, corporate representatives, educators, entrepreneurs, community organizers, youth and academics.

"The National Conference of Black Mayors 35th Annual Convention will mark a joyous milestone in the history of more than an organization. It presents us with a pivotal moment in the political movement of our people, wherein a collective commitment may be established throughout the private and public sectors to unite in a programmatic manner like never before," says NCBM Executive Director Vanessa R. Williams. "We must accept the imperative to engage ourselves with an unprecedented determination to serve our communities and strengthen local administrations to overcome the multiplicity of challenges and struggles that impede progress and sustainability. Our mayors are the keys to our cities."

Prominent leaders scheduled to appear include: US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Malawi Vice President Joyce Banda, African Union Ambassador to the US Amina Ali, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, NAACP President Ben Jealous, FraserNet Founder George Fraser, US Congressman John Conyers, prolific author Maya Angelou, educator Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, radio talk show host Bev Smith, journalist and political commentator Jeff Johnson, educational psychologist Dr. Julia Hare, NAN Founder Rev. Al Sharpton, NCNW Chairwoman Dr. Dorothy Height, civil rights leader Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles, Rainbow/PUSH Founder Rev. Jesse Jackson and US Congressman John Lewis. A special recognition will be made to the Honorable Richard Hatcher, one of the first two African American mayors of a major U.S. city.

Convention Partners include John Deere, Waste Management, United Water, Coca Cola, Comcast, AT&T, and Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Group.

Sessions will address the following NCBM priorities:

* Connectivity throughout the African Diaspora
* The Impact of Reverse Redlining and Foreclosures
* Local Activism to Achieve Gender Equality
* Health Care Equity and Building Healthy Communities
* Community Redevelopment To Overcome Urban Blight and Disasters
* A New Era of Civil Rights: Universal Broadband Access Is An Imperative
* A Successful 2010 Census and Its Value To Our Communities
* Harmony Among Economic, Environmental and Social Enterprises
* Synergies Between Minority Banks and Cities
* The Future of Energy and Conservation Policy
* Youth Empowerment Through Higher Education and Financial Literacy

For a complete agenda, registration and sponsorship information, visit www.ncbm.org. For press registration, contact NCBM Director of Communications Dora Muhammad at dmuhammad@ncbm.org.

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