REV. AL SHARPTON TO DELIVER CALL TO ACTION TO PROTECT DEI AT MLK DAY BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK

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REV. AL SHARPTON TO DELIVER CALL TO ACTION TO PROTECT DEI AT MLK DAY BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK

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Event Honoring Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, and Labor Leaders Eric Bunn Sr. and Rev. Terrence Melvin to Address State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

NEW YORK, NY (January 8, 2025) - Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), will address the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Corporate America at the MLK Day Birthday Breakfast in Washington, D.C. next week, in the build up to a major announcement on the policy five days later at NAN's MLK Day rally in the nation's capital. Rev. Sharpton's overview on the state of DEI comes at a major inflection point for its future, as the billions of dollars America's largest corporations committed after the murder of George Floyd are in danger of disappearing due to political pressure.

*** If you are interested in covering the MLK Day Birthday Breakfast, please complete this form by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13th. Be sure to specify you plan to attend the Birthday Breakfast. ***

"While some companies have cowered from their historic DEI commitments over the last year, there are others who have seen the moral righteousness and economic opportunity it provides," said Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of National Action Network (NAN). "Dr. King marched, preached, went to jail, and was ultimately killed for the very principles DEI embodies. There is no better time than his birthday to galvanize some of the most important decision makers in Washington to protect those principles, as we prepare to make a major announcement on their future on January 20th."

The January 15th breakfast, held on Dr. King's actual birthday, will recognize House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Clarke; Eric Bunn, Sr., National Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); and Rev. Terrence Melvin, Secretary-Treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO and President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU).

The event has historically brought together Washington luminaries in government, organized labor, and business to discuss the major policy issues impacting Black and Brown Americans. Honorees in recent years have included Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Taraji P. Henson, Phylicia Rashad, and more.

A significant number of them began to claw back on those pledges, however, beginning with the 2023 Supreme Court decision to gut affirmative action in higher education. Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman subsequently led the charge against DEI, even as corporate leaders such as longtime JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon argued the policies were good for business.

NAN has been at the vanguard of the fight to protect DEI over the last two years. After Ackman led the effort to oust Harvard University President Claudine Gay - the first Black woman to lead the institution - NAN has rallied outside the billionaire's Manhattan office every Thursday for more than a year. Now, as a second Trump administration has made it clear it will force an end to diversity policies, the organization will continue to highlight the economic, moral, and social benefits of investing in marginalized communities.

*** If you are interested in covering the MLK Day Birthday Breakfast, please complete this form by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13th. Be sure to specify you plan to attend the Birthday Breakfast. ***

WHO
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of NAN

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke
Eric Bunn, Sr., National Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
Rev. Terrence Melvin, Secretary-Treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO and President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)

WHEN
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
Press Call: 8 a.m.
Breakfast starts: 8:30 a.m.

WHERE
Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington, DC 20036

About National Action Network (NAN)

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender.

For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.

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