2016 NCLR Annual Conference: Day One Recap

on in Affiliates

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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After morning workshops, it was time to open the Latino Family Expo. Watch the whole broadcast of the ribbon-cutting.

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.

Meanwhile, at the Family Expo, our Advocacy Central staffers were busy registering attendees to vote!

There was alot more going on in the Expo hall, too.

Like health screenings.

Don’t miss important screenings at the American Kidney Fund booth at #nclr16

A photo posted by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Jul 23, 2016 at 11:44am PDT

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!

We’ve got bumper cars on the floor at the #NCLR16 family expo!

A photo posted by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Jul 23, 2016 at 1:52pm PDT

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….

The Target corporation stepped up and provided 6,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. Thanks, Target!

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.

After the tribute, our President and CEO, Janet Murguía, announced a new policy position to reduce gun violence in America.

Read our release on the news.

We also gave our Family Strengthening Award to two Affiliates.

Our Advocacy Central staff was still registering new voters all the while.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We kept registering voters all through the day. Are you registered to vote? Go to latinosvote2016.org to start the process!

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!

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