2016 NCLR Annual Conference: Day One Recap
Today we kicked off our 2016 NCLR Annual Conference in Orlando. The day was filled with workshops, the opening of the National Latino Family Expo, and a speech from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
Below are some highlights from the first day of our biggest event of the year.
Our first day started bright and early with a session on our legislative victories over the past year.
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.@NCLR policy team talking about their legislative successes in this congress #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/5w52zUeAQL
— Sam Aguilar (@Sam_Aguilar1991) July 23, 2016
After morning workshops, it was time to open the Latino Family Expo. Watch the whole broadcast of the ribbon-cutting.
LIVE on #Periscope: #NCLR16 National Latino Family Expo Ribbon Cutting! https://t.co/RZIAcNOYcN
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
The doors to this year’s Nat’l Latino Family Expo are officially open! #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/DT4tHxy79b
— Janet Murguía (@JMurguia_NCLR) July 23, 2016
A featured session addressed the ongoing fiscal debt crisis in Puerto Rico. We also published a report about the number of Puerto Ricans who have moved to Florida.
REPORT: “Opportunity in the Sunshine State: Characteristics of Recent Movers from #PuertoRico to Florida” #NCLR16 https://t.co/Pcm3mfGjCr
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
As more #PuertoRicans move to FL, a look by the numbers @NCLR @PatriciagDC https://t.co/kHToEq6v3N pic.twitter.com/k8Jdqj88mi
— NBC Latino (@NBCLatino) July 23, 2016
Meanwhile, at the Family Expo, our Advocacy Central staffers were busy registering attendees to vote!
Miguel registered to vote today! Stop by the expo hall today to register too! #NCLR16 #Latinosvote pic.twitter.com/mEM23XtVaF
— NCLRCivicEngagement (@NCLREmpowers) July 23, 2016
There was alot more going on in the Expo hall, too.
Like health screenings.
And soccer demonstrations.
Thanks for bringing the ⚽️ @nissan #nclr16
A photo posted by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Jul 23, 2016 at 12:12pm PDT
Even bumper cars!
And Atencion, Atencion performed, too!
We’re happy to have @atencionatencion putting on a great show at the Expo! #nclr16
A video posted by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Jul 23, 2016 at 2:02pm PDT
Back at the Conference….
Why must #florida expand its #medicaid program? Find out at advocacy Central here at #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/6bVdFaXM5A
— NCLR Health (@NCLRHealth) July 23, 2016
The Target corporation stepped up and provided 6,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. Thanks, Target!
Huge thank you to @Target for providing 6,000 backpacks to give to students during #nclr16! pic.twitter.com/WuidB47EFJ
— NCLR_Econ (@NCLR_Econ) July 23, 2016
Shortly after noon, it was time for the Annual Affiliate Luncheon. Watch the whole event via our livestream below.
The event began with a beautifully touching tribute to the victims of the Orlando shooting that happened last month.
Today’s Affiliate Luncheon began with a touching tribute to the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/IROiRoBg4K
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
After the tribute, our President and CEO, Janet Murguía, announced a new policy position to reduce gun violence in America.
.@JMurguia_NCLR at the #NCLR16 Nat’l. Affiliate Luncheon announcing a new policy position on reducing gun violence. pic.twitter.com/6YsmUiHvI5
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
Read our release on the news.
NCLR Adopts Policy Position in Favor of Reducing Gun Violence: https://t.co/peFyCSeViz #NCLR16
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
We also gave our Family Strengthening Award to two Affiliates.
Congrats @Clues_MN & Redlands Christian Migrant Assn for being award the Family Strengthening Award. Your work is invaluable. #NCLR16
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
Our Advocacy Central staff was still registering new voters all the while.
“I turned 18 this year and I’m now registered to vote” – Gaby Acosta. Register now! Download the @NCLR App pic.twitter.com/QXCEXQo2nv
— NCLRCivicEngagement (@NCLREmpowers) July 23, 2016
Back at the Affiliate Lunch, our keynote speaker, La June Montgomery Tabron, President of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, delivered a passionate speech about equality.
“The Latino community has a long history of bringing great assets to this country” La June Montgomery Tabron #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/rFPrq7Z56K
— WKKF (@WK_Kellogg_Fdn) July 23, 2016
After Ms. Montgomery closed out the luncheon, it was time for a special session with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who delivered a rousing speech about fixing our economy.
.@elizabethforma speaks to #NCLR16 attendees about why it’s imperative we fix our economy for working Americans. pic.twitter.com/yFKgZGOfnl
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
Following Sen. Warren’s address was our last event of the day, an education town hall about the future of Latino education. Our keynote speaker was none other than Department of Education Secretary, John B. King.
.@JohnKingatED is with us at our education town hall to talk about the future of #Latino education. #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/7WG6XrEfo9
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
“In too many places, students who speak a different language are perceived w a deficit rather than the asset that it should be.” #NCLR16
— US Dept of Education (@usedgov) July 23, 2016
The final portion of the education townhall featured a panel discussion with Texas State Board of Education member, Erika Beltran (also a former NCLR staffer), UCLA Graduate School of Education Dean, Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, and our Deputy Vice President of Education and Workforce Development, Peggy McLeod.
Today’s Education town hall features: @EBeltran4SBOE, Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, and Peggy McLeod. #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/BAGNVIGdWk
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
Bet. 2000 and 2013, the #Latino dropout rate went down from 32% to 14% #LatinoEdu #NCLR16
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
McLeod: “Last year only 21% of Latinos were proficient in reading. We’re at a crisis level. We cannot afford to lose any more time.” #NCLR16
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
.@uclagseis_dean: “Schools need to develop ways that engage parents in terms that parents need to be engaged.” #NCLR16
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
@EBeltran4SBOE: “Our community needs to rethink what elected officials look like.” #NCLR16
— NCLR (@NCLR) July 23, 2016
We kept registering voters all through the day. Are you registered to vote? Go to latinosvote2016.org to start the process!
Aileen votes for justice for all kids! #NCLR16 pic.twitter.com/Ro218xm6UN
— NCLRCivicEngagement (@NCLREmpowers) July 23, 2016
And with that, day one of the 2016 conference came to a close.
Check back here tomorrow for our day two recap and be sure to follow all the excitement online via #NCLR16!