President Nelson to Speak at NAACP National Convention
Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor
NAACP president Derrick Johnson speaks with President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at left, during a press conference in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
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President Russell M. Nelson will address the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on July 21 in Detroit, Michigan.
“I’m honored to have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stand in unity with the NAACP to advance equality and justice for all,” said NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson. “We must recognize and accept the importance of creating amity with those that are raising the consciousness of this nation—the Church is committed to doing just that.”
“Over the past 18 months, the First Presidency has made its partnership with the NAACP a high priority,” said the Church in a press release that included the announcement of President Nelson’s participation in the convention.
Church and NAACP leaders have met several times to pursue a joint education and employment initiative that has been deployed in Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; Houston, Texas; and Charlotte, North Carolina. They have customized the Church’s self-reliance services materials and programs to be most effective for the initiative.
In addition, the two organizations came together on Temple Square last May to call all people, organizations, and governments to work together to achieve greater civility and racial harmony. (See related story.)
Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Seventy spoke at the NAACP 109th annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, one year ago. (See related story.)
With the support and encouragement of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, local Church members refurbished the offices of the NAACP in Jackson, Mississippi, in January 2017. (See related story.)
Calling for service, civility, and Christlike love, and noting that “all are alike unto God,” Elder Gary E. Stevenson honored—during a BYU Management Society Gala Award Ceremony—the NAACP for the organization’s commitment to advancing equality and justice in society. (See related story.)
NAACP president Derrick Johnson speaks at a press conference alongside President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
