Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., 34th Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, invites you to view programs from the 85th Grand Chapter Meeting online.
The global pandemic has caused many national African-American organizations to adjust their schedules of summer conventions. While a few are braving the conditions to offer in-person events, the majority have gone to virtual events, with some offering vast content free to the public. A few of note are happening this weekend, while some have already been held and a few are ahead.
This week, the Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity is hosting its Virtual 85th Grand Chapter Meeting from July 10 through July 17, and the public is invited to view many of the programs. They include Saturday’s (July 10) National Student of the Year and Sunday’s (July 11) National Guide Right Awards, Tuesday’s Professional/Educational Seminar Sessions: Black Health Matters, Wednesday’s Public Meeting & Awards Program, Thursday’s Kappa Alpha Psi® Foundation Celebration of Achievement, and Friday’s 86th Grand Chapter Meeting Kick-off sponsored by Visit Tampa Bay. Virtual Public Programs can be streamed anytime online free to all on YouTube, with links at: https://kappaalphapsi1911.com/ Click on “Schedule of Events.”
Also this week, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is holding its 115th Anniversary Convention / 96th General Convention in person from July 14 – 18, in Indianapolis, Indiana at the J.W. Marriott Indianapolis (JWM) & Indianapolis Convention Center (ICC). Their theme is “Elevating the Alpha Spirit: Men of Distinction Impacting Our Communities” and they held their Public Program on Wednesday, July 14 in the JWM Grand Ballroom. See https://apa1906.net/ for more.
The National Medical Association (NMA)’s Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly is acclaimed as the nation’s foremost annual forum on medical science and African American health. Through NMA’s 26 Scientific Specialty Sections, the Convention attracts the broadest spectrum of African American physicians, academicians and scientists in the country. NMA’s 2021 Virtual Convention – “Restoring Hope and Health Across the African Diaspora: Black Health and Wellness Matter” runs Friday, July 16 – Tuesday, July 20.
The National Urban League released The 2021 State of Black America®, The New Normal: Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive on Thursday, July 15. It comes at the end of an unprecedented global pandemic that claimed and transformed the lives of millions. The disparities that existed in this country prior to the beginning of the pandemic were brought to the forefront during its peak. In this virtual event they took a deep dive into what it means to reimagine “normal” and forge a new, diverse, equitable, and inclusive normal. Each panel discussion features public health professionals, civil rights leaders, elected officials, and community advocates who understand the gravity of this moment and have a vision of how to move forward. The 2021 NUL Virtual Conference is set for Tuesday, 28 September 28 through Friday, October 1 2021. Register at: Iamempowered.com
The 112th NAACP Virtual National Convention and 43rd National ACT-SO Competition were held virtually from July 7-14.The NAACP discussed actions and solutions necessary to improve, protect, and change our communities. Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other rewards.
The National Dental Association hosted a summit with a collective consciousness that brought the members of the Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists together under the auspices of the Diverse Dental Society (DDS). The program was organized to provide didactic instruction on aspects of racial and health equity in our communities. The Multicultural Oral Health Summit 2, entitled “Shape Our Future,” ran June 17 -19.
The Virtual NNPA 2021 National Conference, themed “Black Press Matters: Trusted Voice, Resilient Vitality, Transformative Vision” was held June 23-26 to celebrate the 194th Anniversary of the Black Press of America and the 81st Anniversary of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. See sessions on their YouTube page: BlackPressUSA TV.
Next month, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, as a “Brotherhood of Conscious Men Serving Our Communities” hosts Conclave Myrtle Beach 2021, exemplifying their commitment to leadership, collaboration, empowerment, and change. Conclave 2021 Myrtle Beach will be a hybrid event combining the in-person Myrtle Beach conference with a robust real-time virtual component called the Conclave 2021 Myrtle Beach One Conclave: Two Experiences, which includes both live-streamed programming and video on demand: Virtual Tuesday, August 3- Saturday, August 7, 2021 and in-person Wednesday, August 3- Saturday, August 7.
