JANS – The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR), in partnership with Mississippi BWR and Louisiana BWR Louisiana, kicked off their Essence Festival Weekend activations with an intergenerational “Power Table” discussions at the 10th Annual BWR Women of Power Gathering during the 30th Anniversary Essence Festival Weekend, hosted at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans on July 5, 2024. The BWR Gathering brought together over 200 Black women and allies nationwide to include prominent media personalities, national civil rights, women’s rights, economic empowerment, government, and social organization leaders for a series of dynamic discussions.
The event featured two compelling BWR Power Tables:
• Achieving Racial, Gender, Economic, and Social Justice for Black Women & Families
• Unleashing the Power of the Black Youth Vote: Bold Demands for 2024
Leaders explored critical themes such as the pivotal role of Black women and youth in the 2024 Presidential Election, findings from recent polling conducted by BWR in collaboration with Essence and HIT Strategies, and pressing issues affecting Black youth and adults, including economic equality, healthcare access, and reproductive rights. Attendees engaged in proactive dialogue to shape policies and mobilize voter engagement initiatives within their communities.
“We brought together Black women leaders across generations to ‘party with a purpose’ for Essence Fest’s 30th anniversary and to strategize on the importance of leveraging the power of the Black women’s vote and the Black youth vote in the 2024 Presidential Election,” said Melanie L. Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and National Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable. “This election will determine if we have a democracy or a dictatorship. Voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, workers’ rights, affirmative action, access to economic opportunity, education, and the freedom to learn black history are all on the ballot. We will use the power of our ballots to fight for our rights, freedom, and opportunity for future generations, and we will win!”
Speakers and Moderators included:
Marc Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League, and Board Chairperson, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Erica Loewe, Special Assistant and Chief of Staff, The White House
Angela Rye, Principal/CEO, IMPACT Strategies and Host, Native Land Pod
Tiffany Cross, On-air Political Analyst and Author, Host, Native Land Pod
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President & CEO, NCNW
Keturah Butler-Reed, Co-Convener, Louisiana Black Women’s Roundtable; LA Regional Organizer, Black Voters Matter
Moriah Bateast, Member, Terrebonne Parish NAACP Youth Council
Joi Chaney, Senior Policy Advisor, NCBCP/BWR, Founder, J.O.I. Strategies
Dr. Kimberle’ Crenshaw, Co-Founder & ED, African American Policy Forum
Bishop Leah Daughtry, Convenor, Power Rising
Jotaka Eaddy, Founder, #WinWithBlackWomen
Kiersten Hawkins, BYV Ambassador, MS
Gwendolyn Hughes, Convener, Louisiana Black Women’s Roundtable, Louisiana Unity Coalition
Christal M. Jackson, Founder, Mosaic Genius
Letetia Jackson, Convener, South Alabama BWR, President & CEO, Tandeka LLC
Pamela D.C. Junior, Director Emeritus, Two Mississippi Museums, Historian & Motivational Speaker
Illai Kenney, Managing Director, HBCU Green Fund, Black Youth Vote Alumni
Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director, One Voice
Joi Owens Norwood, Esq., Program Officer, W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Tameka Ramsey, Convener, Michigan Black Women’s Roundtable, Michigan Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Founder, T. Ramsey & Associate
Mikhiela Sherrod, PhD, Director, U. S. Domestic Programs, Oxfam
Monica Simpson: Executive Director, Sister Song
Commissioner Sheila Tyson, Convener, Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation/AL BWR
Tonya Tyson, Vice President of Operations & Programs, NCBCP
Kalyn Washington, State Coordinator, Alabama BYV
Cassandra Welchlin, Executive Director & Co-Convener, Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, NCBCP
Angele Wilson, Senior Director, ERP Resources, Inc.
Aleshia Young, BYV Ambassador, MS
A special leadership award was presented by MS BWR to Reena Evers-Everett, Executive Director, Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute. Musical entertainment was provided by Harpist Cassie Watson Francillon and Jazz Vocalist Stephanie Jordan. The BWR Gathering was supported by W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Oxfam, AT&T, and Nike.
