2011 NAACP National Conference in Los Angeles

The theme of this years National Association for the Advancement of Colored People conference, "The NAACP:Affirming America's Promise" looked back on over 100 years of NAACP history in the United States and the multiple court battles such as the Brown vs Board of Education ruling in 1954, the Civil Rights movement of 1954 to 1956 when there were nationwide sit-ins,marches and other non violent protests organized to pressure the courts and Federal government to enforce the guarantees of the Reconstruction amendments beginning with the 13th amendment which officially
ended slavery. The 14th amendment declared that former slaves were citizens and required that
states provide everyone equal protection under the law. The 15th amendment guaranteed
voting rights for all men.

National NAACP President Benjamin Jealous stated "Greetings, It is my pleasure to welcome you to this years National Convention, "The NAACP:Affirming America's Promise" The Promise of America are the truths we hold self- evident: Our rights. Our beliefs. Our collective conscience, our nation's soul. They all come down to one core value: Equality. Thank you for our stalwart commitment towards ensuring the Promise is truly and equally accessible across our nation - to all Americans .

We still today face unprecedented, coordinated attacks on our civil and human rights, on America's Promise of equality, but we are not deterred. We will continue to defend the attacks jeopardizing
the opportunity for fair treatment across our nation- the opportunity promised by America.
Fair pay for a day's labor, the rights to equal access to a good education; the right to proper health
care; all serve to remind us of the inequalities still hindering far too many families and the importance of our ongoing work towards affirming America's Promise."

Some of the attendees participating in the conference included NAACP Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond civil rights leader, Andrew Jackson Young, Congress Woman Laura Richardson, California Governor Jerry Brown, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Senator Maxine Waters,Senator Diane Feinstien, , Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villariagosa, Coucilmember Bernard Parks.

Cuba Gooding Sr and the Main Ingredient performed at the Delegates Reception held in the
Rose Garden attended by approximately five thousand people next to the
African American Museum in Exposition Park.The event was also attended by Julian Bond who after his introduction by President Leon Jenkins greeted the crowd and sang "Everybody plays the fool"
to every ones delight.

Cuba Gooding and the Main Ingredient took the stage and performed their hits including "Every Body Plays the Fool" their Top Ten hit from the 1970's.The convention had a number of
workshops including one led by Julian Bond Chairman Emeritus, NAACP, LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Sexual Transgender) panel workshop with Wanda Sykes and others to explore the complex layers of
homophobia within the Black community.

Former Los Angeles Police Chief, present Counsel member Bernard Parks introduced a Special
Plenary Session to discuss the impact artists and celebrities in the entertainment industry
have on American politics and culture.On the panel presiding were Judge Greg Mathis, actors
Harry Belafonte, Tatyana Ali, Blair Underwood & Louis Gossett.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris spoke at the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr Memorial Lecture Luncheon and presented the Juanita Jackson Mitchell Legal
Activism Award
.
The Whisper's a Los Angeles based group rocked their hits including"Rock Steady" at the
Club Nokia along with comic Sardia Marley from Kingston Jamaica who had the crowd
roaring with her stories.

The ACT SO held a national competition for young students sponsored by the NAACP to honor excellence in Science and the arts where thousands watched them compete for awards .
The six day event drew over 50,000 delegates and attendees.