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MEDIA CONTACTS: Michael McQuerry Candace D. Reese, Candace@EnvisionPR.com (202) 415-0579 (678) 367-3117 CONGRESSMAN BENNIE G. THOMPSON PARTNERS WITH EMERGING LEADERS TO HOST 2008 TOWNHALL MEETING ENTITLED ‘EMERGING LEADERS: THE EVOLUTION OF POLITICS AND EMPOWERMENT’ TO BE MODERATED BY JEFF JOHNSON AND JACQUE REID AT ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS TO INCLUDE MICHAEL ERIC DYSON, MICHAEL STRAUTMANIS (CHIEF COUNSEL – SEN. BARACK OBAMA), OSCAR JOYNER (REACH MEDIA), JAMAL SIMMONS (NEW FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS), REV. TONY LEE, LATOIA JONES (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – COLLEGE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA), PAUL BRATHWAITE (PODESTA GROUP), CHAKA BURGESS (LEGACY PAC), ZINA PIERRE (LOBBYIST), CRAIG KIRBY (POLITICAL STRATEGIST), AND TASHA SMITH (ACTRESS) Washington, D.C. – A coalition of emerging leaders will gather to discuss pressing policy issues and strategies to influence the political agenda in the upcoming 2008 elections at the “Emerging Leaders: The Evolution of Politics and Empowerment” on Thursday, September 27, 2007 in Washington, D.C. The event, which targets young professionals and emerging leaders ages 21 to 40, will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 201 of the Washington Convention Center DURING THE 37TH Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference. The forum will be hosted by Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), who also serves as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute. “I believe that the time is now to provide an opportunity for our emerging leaders to be heard and I will ensure that the issues raised at the town hall are addressed by the candidates at each of the presidential debates hosted by the CBC,” said Thompson. Other participating CBC members include: Keith Ellison (D-MN), Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Ed Towns (D-NY), and Mel Watt (D-NC). At the end of the panel discussion, the group expects to have a solid base for creating a policy paper that will be used as a reference tool for local elected officials, community leaders and 2008 presidential candidates for addressing issues of concern to emerging leaders. “One of the things that will come out of the conversation is a formal document that will inform the decisions and public comments of presidential candidates and other elected officials about Black Americans in 2008 and beyond,” said, David Johns, coalition member. “We will address some of the most contentious issues facing our generation, including access to education and quality healthcare, political participation, and the importance of developing a comprehensive agenda, all issues that disproportionately impact Black Americans.” The group expects the participation of elected officials, presidential candidates, celebrities, political strategists, and a host of community organizations. “The political agenda of this generation is definitely distinct from the agenda of our forefathers,” noted Angela Rye, a member of the Emerging Leaders Coalition. “This forum will serve as an opportunity to identify significant policy issues and propose solutions to concerns specific to our demographic that will directly influence conversations around the 2008 Presidential election.” |
