More than 20-thousand people are expected to converge on Houston when the National Urban League brings their annual conference to town Aug. 5-8 of 2020.
Mayor Sylvester Turner along with NUL president Marc Morial and Houston president, Judson Robinson, Jr. made the announcement, adding that the conference will focus on the “challenges of discrimination and lack of opportunity in every aspect of today’s social and economic landscape.”
“The timing could not be better,” Robinson said. “In addition to the fun and excitement of national speakers, influencers, celebrities and entertainment, it will be a time for real talk. It will be at the peak time to decide on our next President and the direction of our country will be a front and center topic, right here in Houston. We will also discuss the Census while fighting to ensure people are registered to vote. We will delve into the importance of community activation of tools like the Census that create the avenues to ensure fair and capable representation in government services and elected Representation.”
This will mark the first time in more than two decades that Houston has hosted the event.
The conference will include events specifically aimed for Houstonians, including a job fair, technology events, and family and community days.
The Urban League is one of the nation’s most prominent civil rights organizations, and has chapters in 90 cities and towns nationwide. It operates and advocates for programs aimed at the “economic empowerment” of urban communities and elevating living standards of vulnerable or underserved people.
The conference will be held only a few months before the 2020 presidential election, and leaders said they will invite political candidates from both major parties to address attendees.