For the first time in nearly 20 years, Augusta will play host to the 66th annual NAACP Georgia State Conference.
The conference, which will run from today through Saturday, will usher in more than 500 NAACP volunteers and delegates for sessions on religious affairs, political action, education, civic engagement, veterans affairs and economic development, said Charles Smith, the president of the NAACP's Augusta chapter .
"It's been an outpour of community support," he said. "We're so excited to have it here. We're really trying to bring the community together in Georgia and nationally."
The main emphasis of the conference will be on continuing to stress the importance of voting and improving the economy, Dr. Smith said. The Augusta chapter has conducted 15 voter registration drives this year, registering more than 650 people, he said.
"Our main goal is to go out to the low-voting precincts and educate them," he said.
Demetrius Fisher, the Georgia NAACP executive consultant, said the emphasis on voting has been a mission of all 170 Georgia chapters this year. More than 8,000 Georgians have been registered this year through NAACP efforts. The "Get Out the Vote" campaign will continue until Election Day , Nov. 4.
The conference also will pay homage to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for its members' devotion to community service in the past 100 years, Mr. Fisher said.
"We know there is a lot of issues affecting our communities, so we're hoping those that attend can go back to their communities and make them better places to live," he said. "That's been a part of our goal for the past 99 years."
The conference will begin at Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites at noon today.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
CONFERENCE EVENTS
TODAY
1:30 p.m.: Second annual William J. Breeding Sr. Golf Tournament at Forest Hills Golf Course. Registration until noon on-site
THURSDAY
3 p.m.: Religious Emphasis Day workshop at Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites
7:30 p.m.: Community mass meeting and memorial service featuring the Rev. Julius C. Hope Jr., religious affairs chairman at New Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church
FRIDAY
7:30 a.m.: Worker's/Human Rights (Labor) Breakfast at the Marriott
6 p.m.: Political forum, "Meet the Candidates," at the Marriott
SATURDAY
7:30 a.m.: Women in NAACP Empowerment Breakfast at the Marriott
7:30 p.m.: Annual Freedom Awards banquet featuring Dr. Barbara McKinzie, International Supreme Basileus, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., at the Marriott.
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