The North Star Convention is the brainchild of Black local and state legislators, community leaders, union leaders, business leaders, and concerned citizens who are using their collective power to advocate for improvements and resources in the Black community throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Days
Speakers
Subject areas
The North Star Convention Black Agenda for PA was submitted to both Presidential Candidates prior to November 3rd, 2020. You can download the Black Agenda here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
MODERATOR: Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson
October | 22nd | 2:45 - 3:30 pm
Gun Violence has been plaguing our cities and our commonwealth for far too long. This year, gun violence is at an all time high and children and women (including pregnant women) fell victim to violence in our streets. Building off of the Black Agenda for PA that we created last year, what are we as a Black community doing to protect our most vulnerable populations? What is working? What isn't working? And what are we demanding of our President and leadership in PA to ensure our streets and our neighborhoods are safe?
MODERATOR: Representative Jordan Harris
October | 22nd | 3:45 - 4:30 pm
Throughout our country, there have been a significant number of Black men and women who have been victims of police brutality and state violence. Some refer to our criminal justice system as “modern day slavery”. Building off of the Black Agenda for PA that we created last year, what do we need to do to ensure members of the Black community are safe? What is working? What isn't working? What types of reforms and policies are still needed for our criminal justice and judicial systems? What are we demanding of our President and leadership in PA to ensure police are held accountable and to ensure equity and fairness within these systems?
MODERATOR: Representative Regina Young
October | 22nd | 2:45 - 3:30 pm
Our country is one of the wealthiest economies in the world, yet when you examine the economics of Black Americans we still fall woefully behind in access to wealth, business sustainability and growth, capital, housing, and career opportunities. Black individuals were enslaved and brought to the U.S. in chains to build the economy of this nation, yet despite gaining our freedom, we have not been able to fully benefit from the economy we helped build. Building off of the Black Agenda for PA we created last year, what is working? What isn't working? Should we be given reparations? How do we address and end poverty in our state? How do we grow Black businesses and what are we demanding of our President and our leadership in PA to ensure we have equal access to opportunities and economic justice?
Moderator: Councilmember Isaiah Thomas
October | 22nd | 2:45 - 3:30 pm
Access to a high quality education is a major factor in determining a child’s life trajectory. In addition to a strong academic program, it is equally important to teach Black history, celebrate a child’s ethnicity and culture, and support social and emotional wellness of children. Is what children are learning in school today, properly preparing them for the workforce post high school and/or college? Building off of the Black Agenda for PA that we created last year, what is working? What isn't working and what should we be doing differently? How do we ensure there is equity in access to quality public schools? What is the future of k-12 public education and what are we going to demand of our President and leadership in PA in order to ensure all Black children have access to a high quality education and path from preK-12 to postsecondary education and career readiness?
Moderator: tba
October | 22nd | 3:45 - 4:30 pm
Investing in the next generation of leaders in elected office, business, and community activism is not only necessary but crtically important to ensuring we are continuing to address many issues that have plagued our community for generations. What are we doing to "build the bench" and keep young people actively engaged in our community? How are we bridging relationships between our seasoned citzens and our youngest leaders? Building off of the Black Agenda for PA that we created last year, what is working? What isn't working? What are we demanding of our President and our leadership in PA to ensure inclusion of the next generation in all areas and public and private sectors?
Moderator: Representative Darisha Parker & Representative Napoleon Nelson
October | 22nd | 2:45 - 3:30 pm
The Black community suffers from many health disparities, lack of access to healthcare, and have been significantly impacted by mental health as well as our current global pandemic due to the coronavirus. In addition, there is a correlation of health disparities in areas that have limited access to clean water and air. Building off of the Agenda for PA that we created last year, what is working? What do we need to do differently? How are Black urban and rural neighborhoods impacted by the environment and access to healthcare? What do we need to demand of our President and leadership in PA in order to ensure all counties have clean water, clean air, access to healthcare, COVID-19 testing, mental health services, and the elimination of health disparities that are highly prevalent in our community?
Moderator: George Burrell, Esq.
October | 22nd | 3:45 - 4:30 pm
President Biden has advocated for, what the White House calls, "a once in a generation investment" of $550 billion in new federal investment in America’s infrastructure. The White House stated that, "the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will grow the economy, enhance our competitiveness, create good jobs, and make our economy more sustainable, resilient, and just." How are we going to make sure there are opportunities for Black people and businesses with this new line of revenue? How can be sure that the investments being made our positively impacting Black communities across our Commonwealth?
The purpose of the North Star Convention is to discuss systemic issues impacting the Black community throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and create a collective agenda of solutions to present to Presidential nominees which each candidate will agree to adopt and implement if elected into office.
North Star Convention 2020
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