The Urban League of Louisiana 2023 Empowerment and Policy Conference September 7-8

Eric Connerly Data News Weekly Contributor

The Urban League of Louisiana 2023 Empowerment & Policy Conference is coming up soon! They are excited to announce their full agenda of plenary sessions and panels that are taking place September 7-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The conference is FREE to attend, but space will be limited, so they are asking those who are interested in attending to be sure to save their seat today!

The Urban League of Louisiana Conference and Gala will provide many opportunities for our attendees, and other special guests, to network, discuss complex challenges, highlight solutions, and celebrate change-makers delivering positive impact, while also celebrating the legacy and continued work of the Urban League of Louisiana.
There are many important issues that will be addressed during the conference. That includes addressing the racial wealth gap, safety, and Criminal Justice Reform, voting rights and civic engagement, race, culture and creatives, health equity, education equity, and protecting history.

A List of some of the Plenary Sessions Guaranteed to Inform, Inspire and Empower the Community.
Plenary Session
SEE CHANGE: How Some Are Working to Close the Racial Wealth Gap and Strengthen the Economy for All in Louisiana
According to growing data and analysis, there is a major gap in wealth between White households compared to Black, and Hispanic and Latino households. This panel will highlight various efforts underway in Louisiana and nationally to close the racial wealth gap and will illuminate how this work will strengthen the economy for all communities across the state.

• Deirdre Johnson Burel, Senior Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Mayra Pineda, President & CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana Location
• Jan Moller, Executive Director, Louisiana Budget Project
• Lamar Gardere, Executive Director, Data Center
• Moderated by Tyronne Walker, Vice President for Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Development, Urban League of Louisiana

Plenary Session
Off The Court: How NBA Star CJ McCollum is Helping to Lift Up Communities and Encourage Other Athletes to Do the Same
There is a growing emphasis by leading Black professional athletes to use their resources and platform to advocate for social justice and wealth creation in marginalized communities. In this conversation, New Orleans Pelicans NBA Star, and President of the National Basketball Players Association will discuss how he, and other players, are working with communities to highlight social justice, advance equity, and inspire the next generation.
• CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans, NBPA

Breakout Session
Representation Matters: How Black Venture Capitalists and Investors are Changing the Game for Black Businesses
• Sevetri Wilson, Founder, SGI and Resilia
• Kelli Saulny, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Corridor Ventures

Breakout Session
It’s a Family Affair: Building Black Wealth at Any Age
• Jasmine Brown DeRouselle, Senior Vice President for Policy, GNO, Inc.
• Sherilyn Hayward, Owner, Leroy’s Lip Smack’n Lemonade
• Ricardo Thomas, President, Thomas-Waddell & Associates
• Jarrett E. Cohen, Principal & CIO, JECohen

Breakout Session
The Alphabet Soup of Entrepreneurial Resources: SBA, LED, GNO Inc., and WBRC
• Ted James, Region VI Administrator, Small Business Administration

Breakout Session
Reimagining Workforce in Louisiana that Creates Pathways to Careers and Wealth
• Cherie Lacour-Duckworth, Vice President, Urban League of Louisiana
• Deanna Rodriguez, CEO, Entergy New Orleans

Safety & Criminal Justice Reform

Plenary Session
Democracy in Crisis with Symone Sanders Townsend
How Louisianans are on the front lines of the fight for American democracy from voting rights to the culture wars and the impact civic engagement will have for decades to come.
• Symone Sanders Townsend, Author, Former Political Strategist, Host of “SYMONE” on MSNBC
Breakout Session (bold)
More Work to Do: Criminal Justice Reform Progress and What’s Ahead
• Flozell Daniels, Chief Executive Officer of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
• Senator Royce Duplessis, Louisiana State Senate

URBAN LEAGUE OF LOUISIANA STATEMENT ON 2023 GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE BY Urban League of Louisiana CEO Judy Reese Morse
“The Urban League of Louisiana is proud to be a nonpartisan organization who unapologetically advocates on behalf of Black Louisianans and other underserved communities. Likewise, we stand by our policy prescriptions, both past and present, which are rooted in data and that champion a more equitable Louisiana. As it relates to our forthcoming debate, hosted in conjunction with WWL and media partners throughout the state, our singular focus is to ensure that candidates seeking the office of Governor have the ability to share their platform and reasons they believe voters should have confidence in their ability to lead our great state. We have unwavering faith in the journalistic integrity of our media partners and look forward to a fair and robust debate on Thursday.”

To RSVP for the conference go to URBANLEAGUELA.ORG/85 for more information on the work of the Urban League of Louisiana please contact urban urbanleaguela.org