Recap: NAACP Convention in Philly – Act-So Culinary Competition, President Obama and more…

This year the NAACP Convention (106th Annual) lead by NAACP President/CEO Cornell William Brooks and NAACP Chairman Rosalyn M. Brock was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA) July 11-15, 2015, with a theme of “Pursuing Liberty In the Face of Injustice.” In the wake of the social and economic unrest across the country, the NAACP set an agenda to focus on voting rights, criminal justice reform, health equity, economic opportunity and education equality ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

As you all know, Tinsel & Tine is hardly a political or socio-economic blog, but it does celebrate Philadelphia, and having both President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton make appearances; along with a great many tourism $$$ pouring into the “City of Brotherly Love”, qualifies as something to celebrate – so I applied for a press pass and was approved!

There was also a food component to cover – The 37th Annual Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competitions, which included a YOUTH CULINARY Cook Off judged by renowned chefs: G. Garvin, Aaron Perez and Arnym Solomon. 

WHAT IS ACT-SO?
Founded in 1978 by journalist Vernon Jarrett. ACT-SO is a year long youth achievement program sponsored by the NAACP designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among high school students of African
descent. The program relies on the dedication local NAACP branches and the commitment of community and business leaders who volunteer as mentors and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence. Through this collaborative effort, participating
students develop the confidence and skills needed to excel in school and in life.

Actress Edwina Findley Dickerson “Kelly” from Tyler Perry’s (OWN Network) If Loving You is Wrong opened the ACT-SO ceremony. Hosting the competitions was actress Yara Shahidi “Zoey” from ABC’s “Black-ish”.

NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Chawntae Donegan

NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Gina Elizabeth Evans  NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Pierre Tony King

NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Josseline Rojas

NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Labria Lanux

NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Rajon Rich

NAACP Act-So Culinary Competitor Rianni L. Tyes

The highlight of the entire conference was being approved to be in the White House Press Pool during President Obama’s address to the NAACP on Prison Reform.  He’s the first sitting president to ever visit a Federal Prison. He made some valid points during his speech: If you’ve served your time, should you be penalized by your record for the rest of your life upon getting out?  The cost of keeping non-violent offenders in prison far outweighs the cost of putting that money into prevention and rehabilitation. The disproportion of black and Latino males being put away versus white, and other meaningful points.

“Our Criminal Justice System isn’t as smart as it should be. It’s not keeping us as safe as it should be. It is not as fair as it should be. Mass incarceration makes our country worse off, and we need to do something about it!” – President Obama.

Here’s a highlight of his speech I shot with my cellphone. Click HERE to view