HARTFORD, Conn., April 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes the "61st Annual Northeastern Region National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute" to Hartford, Conn. from Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22. Almost all of the convention's meetings and events will take place at the Hilton Hartford Hotel on 315 Trumbull Street and the adjoining Hartford Civic Center. The NAACP's Northeastern Region II covers Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as Germany and Italy.
"This is the first time since 2001 that the NAACP has held the regional convention in Connecticut and we are honored that they are coming to Hartford," explains H. Scott Phelps, President of the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Hundreds of people from out of state have already booked several night stays in Hartford, and all State residents are invited to register for the convention, whether or not they are NAACP members." Phelps reports that the economic impact to the region will be over $625,000, and adds that several Downtown restaurants and attractions will offer special promotions for the visitors.
"The Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute features a wide variety of programs for adults, as well as an independent Youth/College Division with special sessions of its own for young people," says Hilda Rodgers, NAACP Regional Director. "Workshops will cover topics such as civic organizing, education, health, legal and legislative affairs, and economic empowerment. Workshops include Strengthening Our NAACP Branches; Planning Freedom Fund Dinners, Getting Your Message Out -- Working with the Media, and Affirmative Action. A number of banquets and other social events will be part of the convention, including several community events in local churches." Registration for the NAACP Training Institute is $35 for adults and $20 for youth. To register, call Brenda Milner at (860) 727-9962.
One convention highlight will be a powerful event coordinated by the NAACP's Youth/College Division -- the "leaders of tomorrow." On Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m., a "funeral" will take place to bury the "N-Word." The public is invited to this free event to be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hartford Hotel. During the first hour, nationally renowned poet, author and community activist Kevin Powell will engage the youth in a discussion about the importance of "burying" this type of defamatory language. At approximately 7:45 p.m., a procession of young pallbearers will escort a casket up from a hearse parked on the street outside the hotel, and an actual funeral will be held -- complete with a young preacher, flowers and eulogies. The audience will be invited to speak and participate in the dramatic event. Henry L. Fuqua Funeral Service of Bloomfield, Conn. is volunteering its staff and supplies to help the association with this program. The funeral will be open to the public and not be limited only to Convention registrants. No reservations are needed.
Later Friday evening at 10 p.m., the NAACP's "Living Legends Awards" will be presented in the hotel's Hartford Commons room. The Connecticut State Conference Honoree will be former Hartford Mayor Thirman L. Milner.
National NAACP officials attending the Hartford convention will include: Roslyn M. Brock, Vice Chair of the National Board of Directors; Dennis C. Hayes, Esq., Interim President; and the Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III, Chief Operating Officer.
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The President of the Connecticut State Conference NAACP is Scot X. Esdaile. For information about membership, visit www.naacp.org or call (860) 727-9962.
The Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) works to enhance the economic fabric and quality of life of Hartford by working in partnership with Hartford's businesses, institutions, nonprofits and surrounding communities to market the city as a premier destination for national, regional and statewide conventions. The Greater Hartford Sports Commission, a division of the GHCVB, focuses its efforts on attracting and serving international, national and regional sporting events. For information about the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau and its Greater Hartford Sports Commission, call (860) 728-6789 or visit www.enjoyhartford.com.