Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Roslyn M. Brock Among Speakers at NAACP Event in Tarrytown

The following announcement is from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People:

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock will be keynote speakers at the NAACP New York State Conference 78th Annual Convention which takes place October 10-12 at the Westchester Marriott Hotel, 670 White Plains Road in Tarrytown.

Both Brock and Governor Cuomo will speak on Saturday, October 11. Brock will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon at 12:00 noon and Governor Cuomo will speak at the 78th Annual Awards Dinner Dance at 7:00pm.

This year’s convention theme, NAACP:All In For Justice & Equality, captures the position of the NAACP New York State Conference. The convention will have panels with leading experts focusing on urgent issues concerning New York State’s African American communities including: economic stability, education, health, public safety, racial profiling, economic development, voting rights and political representation. The three day convention includes receptions, breakfasts, a luncheon and an awards dinner.

“The NAACP New York State Conference is honored to have Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Roslyn M. Brock,Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, as keynote speakers at our 78th Annual Convention in Westchester County. Both are frontline advocates of civil rights for all,” stated Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, President of theNAACP New York State Conference and National NAACP Board Member. “As America celebrates the milestone 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it’s imperative to continue to be advocates in the battle for civil rights. All In For Justice & Equality captures the message of the ongoing civil rights movement, which continues to strive for equality for all.”

Brock made history in 2010 at age 44 as the youngest person and fourth woman to be Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. In 2012, she initiated and led the Board’s historic policy decision to support marriage equality and to implement The Black Church and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative. Her advocacy for quality, accessible and affordable health care resulted in the NAACP mandate of a health committee for all units. Brock holds a master’s degree in health services, a MBA and a Master of Divinity degree. She has been involved with the NAACP for more than 27 years. The October 11 luncheon at 12:00 noon includes presentations by Drew Fixell, Mayor of Tarrytown; Congresswoman Nita Lowery of Rockland and Westchester Counties and Judge Laura D. Blackburne, Chair, NAACP Crisis Magazine Board of Directors.On Saturday morning at 9:00 am, there will be a special award presented to Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers.

On October 11 at 7:00pm, Governor Cuomo will be the keynote at the NAACP New York State 78th Annual Awards Dinner Dance. Governor Cuomo, the 56th Governor of New York State, has a lifelong commitment to public service and the proven leadership skills to make government work for the people of the state.

As New York’s Attorney General, he had a long record of fighting for justice and championing government reform. In 1997, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. While HUD secretary, he made fighting racial discrimination a key focus and brought 2,000 anti-discrimination cases all across the country. In 1986, he established Housing Enterprise for Less Privileged (HELP), which became the nation’s largest private provider of transitional housing for the homeless. Governor Cuomo first practiced law as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.

The October 11 dinner dance features the Effie Gordon Awards, E. T. Reed Award, 2014 Corporate Awards and 2014 Special President’s Award. Presenters include Tawan Davis, President & Chief Investment Officer, The Peebles Corporation and Donna Cirolia, Vice President, Regional Public Affairs & Communications, Coca Cola.

New York State officials speaking at the convention include:Alphonso B. David, Deputy Secretary and Counsel for Civil Rights, Office of the Governor; Osbourne A. McKay, Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Industries, Accreditation & Diversity Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; Andrew Kennedy, Deputy Secretary, Office of Economic Development and Yvonne Graham, Associate Commissioner, Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Prevention.

The national NAACP was established 105 years ago in New York City. The NAACP New York State Conference was coordinated 1936 and has 56 branches throughout the State of New York.For more information on the NAACP New York State Conference 78th Annual Convention, please call 212-344-7474 or visit the website at www.nysnaacp.org.