Unidos We Stand: A conversation on how we fight back
A look at the 2018 UnidosUS Annual Conference’s civil rights panel
When Janet Murguía, President and CEO of then-NCLR, announced that the organization would change its name to UnidosUS, she explained that the word unidos means “united” in Spanish, and that the name is a signal to all communities in the United States that when we are united, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. At our 2018 Annual Conference in Washington, DC this July, we’ll illustrate that unity with a panel of civil rights leaders who are driving change to benefit all Americans.
The 2018 UnidosUS Annual Conference and 50th Anniversary Celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that Latinos have made in the half-century since the organization was founded. And it’s also a time to consider the current political landscape and the progress we have yet to make for our community.
Since our founding in 1968, we have contributed to a stronger America by elevating the voice of Latinos and defending and advancing our community’s concerns. Today, we remain steadfast in our mission to realize a day where all Latinos thrive and their contributions are fully recognized. There are other organizations doing the same for other minorities, and they have also had to defend their rights in recent years.
Currently, the civil rights movement is facing its most challenging moment since the 1960s. But the nation’s civil rights leaders are determined to work together and have formed a united front to advance the fight for justice and equality.
During our Monday Luncheon, we will host a panel discussion on civil rights. The discussion will look at the current political moment and examine the work we must do together to build an America where everyone has the same opportunities and where all contributions are valued. This panel is a unique opportunity to hear from many of the top leaders in the field representing a wide array of communities in the movement. These leaders will discuss both the current climate and what the future holds.
Our civil rights panel will be moderated by Janet Murguía and will feature presidents and CEOs from leading civil rights advocacy groups—Chad Griffin from the Human Rights Campaign, Vanita Gupta from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Sherrilyn Ifill from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Maria Teresa Kumar from Voto Latino, Marc Morial from the National Urban League, and Neera Tanden from the Center for American Progress. Sessions like the civil rights panel will empower attendees to become an advocate for opportunity for Latinos and play an active role in shaping our country’s future.
Our milestone Conference will serve as part celebration, part convention, and a public commitment to the path forward for the Latino community. With an agenda that includes some of the most influential people from across a variety of sectors, Conference is guaranteed to inspire attendees with a deeper sense of connection to the Hispanic community and the issues that impact our families. To learn more about the speakers and workshops at Conference and to register for the experience, visit conference.unidosus.org.