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Whoever was in charge of tonight’s State of the Union tickets may have been under the influence of covfefe. The Sergeant-at-Arms office, which is responsible for printing the tickets, misspelled “union” as “uniom.” The address begins at 9P -- and while we know who won’t be showing up -- some are wondering which version of 45 will enter the chamber. Some of Trump’s base fear that teleprompter Trump will lose his hard edge. But given that Stephen Miller, the president’s Senior Policy Advisor, is in charge of writing this year’s address -- I think they can rest assured some rhetoric will be included just for them. And, in a fundraising solicitation on Monday, 45 is turning SOTU into a cash cow. The president offered those willing to pay at least $35 the opportunity to see their name displayed during a live streaming of the address on his campaign website. By the way -- a reminder -- the government runs out of funding next week. And both Republicans and Democrats are doubtful they can reach a long-term budget deal by February 8th. Which brings us to the Hill… Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee voted last night to release a classified memo alleging misconduct by senior FBI officials involved in the Russia probe, despite warnings from the DOJ. This was on the heels of the abrupt departure of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Also, a closely divided Senate on Monday blocked a proposed federal ban on abortions after 20 weeks in a vote that is likely to be the first of several election-year attempts to highlight the split between Ds and Rs. In a show of bipartisanship, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill Monday that requires mandatory reporting of sexual abuse in amateur athletics to law enforcement. And Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) is the latest veteran Republican to announce his retirement, opening up another competitive district as the GOP braces for what could be a brutal midterm cycle. Lastly, Jess O’Connell, the CEO of the DNC, is leaving after less than a year on the job. Okay! I’ll be live tweeting the SOTU this eve. Follow along. We’re kicking off Tuesday with this...
- FCC Chair Ajit Pai comes out against Trump’s national 5G network.
- Trump extends an olive branch to African leaders ahead of their conference this weekend.
- Want to work for the Obama Foundation? Meet their new Director of People.
- Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara launches task force on democracy.
- Ken Chenault named Chairman and Managing Director of venture capital fund.
- Michelle Obama picks Ellen DeGeneres for her first post-White House television interview.
- Cleveland MLB team shelves Native American logo.
- Airbnb launches response to Trump’s “shithole” comments.
- Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Oversight Dems want to subpoena Homeland Security over Russian interference.
- President of Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce running for congressional seat.
- Meet the Pulitzer Prize-winning journo just named MSNBC Correspondent.
- WSJ names a new Assistant Managing Editor.
- HRC’s 2008 campaign manager says she was overruled on the firing of a campaign advisor accused of harassment.
- Former UN Ambassador Bill Richardson quits Myanmar advisory board.
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CBS This Morning's Gayle King and daughter Kirby Sunday night in NYC on their way to the GRAMMYs. | |  |
Omarosa Manigault-Newman over the weekend before entering the Celebrity Big Brother House with her husband, John Allen, and her nephew. | |
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FCC Chair at Odds with Admin Over Nationwide 5G Network
FCC Chair Ajit Pai appears to be at odds with the Trump administration over their proposal to create a nationwide 5G network in order to protect against Chinese leadership in forthcoming networking technology. Small problem. The unnamed senior national security officials who presented the proposal failed to talk to Pai first. Pai, opposed to the plan, released a statement saying, “I oppose any proposal for the federal government to build and operate a nationwide 5G network. The main lesson to draw from the wireless sector’s development over the past three decades—including American leadership in 4G—is that the market, not government, is best positioned to drive innovation and investment.” For once, he’s on the same side as Commissioner Mignon Clyburn who is also opposed, as are her fellow commissioners. Pai instead suggests that the government should continue to make spectrum available for commercial users such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. More here.
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Trump Pens Letter to African Leaders Ahead of African Union Summit
In a letter to African regional leaders, Donald Trump said he "deeply respects" the people of Africa and that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make an "extended visit" to the continent in March. NBC News obtained a copy of the letter, dated Thursday, which was sent ahead of the African Union summit this weekend in Ethiopia and where members are expected to respond to Trump's vulgar “shithole” remarks. The African Union, comprised of 55 member states, has been around in some form for more than 50 years. Last Friday, Trump met with Rwanda's President and new African Union Chair Paul Kagame at the World Economic Forum, calling him a "friend." In the letter, Trump offers his "best wishes for a successful summit" and notes that U.S. and African troops are "fighting side by side to defeat terrorists and build secure communities." Trump gave no more details of Tillerson's scheduled trip but said he hoped to welcome many of the leaders to the White House. More here.
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Cummings, Oversight Dems Want to Subpoena Homeland Security Over Russian Interference
Led by Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), all Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter asking Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) to issue a subpoena to compel the Department of Homeland Security to produce documents it has been withholding from Congress for months. The documents relate to Russian government-backed efforts to “monitor, penetrate, or otherwise hack at least 21 state election systems in the 2016 election.” The letter says DHS defied congressional requests and cites document requests that the lawmakers say went unanswered or received an inadequate response. Cummings said: “Russia attacked our states in the last election to help Donald Trump get elected President. Why is the Trump Administration now concealing from Congress documents showing exactly how Russia did it?” The Trump admin has notified Congress that last year’s bipartisan Russia sanctions bill is serving as a “deterrent” and as such, specific sanctions aren’t needed at this time. This comes as CIA Director Mike Pompeo says Russia will attempt to interfere in America’s 2018 midterm elections. See the letter here.
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|  | Lin-Manuel Miranda on Friday with his father, Luis Miranda of the Hispanic Federation. | |  | Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) with House Minority Leader Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) last week leading her weekly campaign for the kidnapped Chibok girls. | |
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Ken Chenault Named Chairman and Managing Director of General Catalyst Partners
Outgoing American Express CEO is making money moves. After being named to the boards of Facebook and Airbnb, Ken Chenault today is announcing that he will be Chairman and Managing Director of General Catalyst Partners, one of the most successful venture capital firms of the past two decades, with stakes in companies such as Airbnb, Snap, Stripe, and Warby Parker. The fund has some $3.75 billion. Jumping into the world of start-ups is more than just a business decision; it is an opportunity to have a larger impact on Silicon Valley and its business culture. One problem the Harvard Law School graduate wants to address is the lack of diversity. “If we don’t make accelerated progress in that area, it will have dire consequences for our society,” he said. Latinos represent only 4% of the venture capital industry. African Americans make up only 3% of the venture capital workforce. In addition to Facebook and Airbnb, Chenault is also on the boards of IBM and Procter & Gamble. More here.
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Obama Foundation Names Director of People and Launches Jobs Page
On Monday, the Obama Foundation announced that Stacey D. Mitchell is the new Director of People. As Director of People, Stacey will be charged with attracting, engaging, and retaining exceptional and diverse talent for the Obama Foundation and building a culture that allows it to reach its goals. She was most recently VP of People and Equity for Educators for Excellence. Prior to that, the University of Illinois graduate held numerous leadership positions with Teach for America, including as Senior Staff Manager for Staff Diversity Strategy. “As a South Sider, I am honored to join the Obama Foundation as it continues the momentum it created in 2017,” she said. “The Obama Foundation has made a commitment to advance civic life for people on the South Side, in the city and across the globe, and I am excited to help us live up to this commitment.” Mitchell said she looks forward to attracting diverse talent and helping the team develop the culture and leadership ability necessary to realize Obama’s vision. Along with Mitchell's announcement, the Foundation also announced a new opportunities page which will be updated regularly as new job openings become available. The Foundation began accepting applications for its summer 2018 internship program from current undergraduate and graduate students. The application will close on February 12th. More here.
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Preet Bharara Launches Task Force
On Monday, former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara launched an independent democracy task force at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU's School of Law. He is joined by former NJ Governor Christine Todd Whitman. The task force will examine ways to strengthen ethics and conflicts of interest laws; protect the independence of law enforcement and the courts; respect a free and independent press; ensure transparent and appropriate use of government research and data; and support the appointment of appropriate and qualified public officials. “The goal is to issue a set of recommendations, policies that can be enacted that mend the gaps in our system and ensure we have a government that functions ably, competently and with the trust of the American people,” they write. “It’s not enough to read news stories — or tweets — and fret.” Last year, Bharara was fired after he refused to follow AG Jeff Sessions' request for all remaining 46 U.S. Attorneys appointed during President Barack Obama's administration to resign. In April, he joined the NYU School of Law faculty as a Distinguished Scholar in Residence. More about the task force here.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is looking for a Data Director to help her grassroots advocacy work and join her 2018 re-election campaign. Click here to learn more & apply! | | |
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Cleveland Baseball Team to Stop Using Offensive Mascot
Major League Baseball says the Cleveland baseball team will stop using the "Chief Wahoo" logo on their uniforms beginning in 2019. They say the popular symbol was no longer appropriate for use on the field. The logo has long been the source of anguish and frustration for those who consider it offensive, outdated, and racist. However, for many of the team’s fans, it is a cherished insignia. Most universities have stopped using Native American nicknames, while other teams -- including the DC NFL franchise -- have resisted growing pressure to do so. More here.
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Márquez-Peterson Enters AZ Congressional Race
The National Republican Congressional Committee yesterday named 16 more candidates to their “Young Guns” program. Among them is Lea Márquez-Peterson, the President and CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who has jumped in the race to succeed Congresswoman Martha McSally (R) in AZ’s 2nd Congressional District. The 47-year-old Márquez-Peterson kicked off her campaign in December. The University of Arizona grad, who earned her Master’s from Pepperdine, has served as head of the city's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce since 2009, having previously served as the Executive Director for Greater Tucson Leadership. She is the only Republican vying for the seat, though the filing deadline is May 30th. Meet her here.
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Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) on Friday speaking at an Asia Society Texas forum about Donald Trump's Asia policies. | |  |
Oprah celebrating her 64th birthday on Monday. | |
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Michelle Obama Joins Ellen on Thursday
What’s a good gift for a 60th birthday party? For Ellen DeGeneres, it’s Michelle Obama. The former First Lady is making her first TV interview debut since leaving the White House, appearing on Thursday’s Ellen DeGeneres Show to celebrate the host’s 60th birthday. The audience for the first of two birthday-themed shows will be “filled with people who are paying it forward” and have participated in DeGeneres’ #OneMillionActsofGood campaign. In 2012, Obama competed with DeGeneres in a push-up competition to promote her “Let’s Move!” anti-childhood obesity initiative. Will there be a rematch? We’ll be watching. More here.
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MSNBC Names New Correspondent
MSNBC has named Pulitzer Prize-winning journo Trymaine Lee as a Correspondent. Lee -- who until now was a National Reporter contributing online and on-air for NBC News and MSNBC digital -- will cover the role of race, violence, politics, and law enforcement in America and will bring his expertise in social justice issues to MSNBC’s primetime and weekend programming. He will appear regularly on All In with Chris Hayes, The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, and AM Joy. The Rowan University graduate joined NBC News and MSNBC in 2012 as a National Reporter for the digital unit. He previously worked as a reporter for HuffPost, where he is credited with helping elevate the shooting of Trayvon Martin to a national audience. Before that, he was at the NYT, where his coverage of then-Governor Eliot Spitzer’s sex scandal helped earn the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. He also earned a Pulitzer Prize as part of a team that covered Hurricane Katrina at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Lee was a 2016 and 2017 Fellow with the New America Foundation and a 2006 recipient of NABJ’s Emerging Journalist of the Year Award. He is currently writing a book on gun violence in America, slated to be released in 2019. Congrats, Trymaine! More here.
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|  | Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) on Friday in South Carolina with Ivanka Trump as the pair stumped to sell the president's tax reform. | |  | Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) on Friday night heading into the dressing room before appearing on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. | |
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WSJ Names New Assistant Managing Editor
The WSJ has named Brent Jones as Assistant Managing Editor, Training, and Outreach. He joins WSJ from Gannett/USAToday Network and has a distinguished career of service and support of journalism. In his new position, he will build on the paper’s current training offerings and focus on the creation and implementation of a broad, long-term strategy for all newsroom training initiatives, WSJ’s participation in journalism conferences and fellowships, and the curriculum and oversight of the internship program. The University of Maryland College Park grad will also work to ensure that training and outreach initiatives support an inclusive and diverse newsroom. Brent is currently the head of standards and practices for Gannett’s USAToday Network of newsrooms and is responsible for guiding journalism best practices, diversity outreach, and student programming for Gannett’s Content Division. He’s been a key and beloved member of the USA Today newsroom for more than 20 years. He starts at WSJ on February 5th. Congrats, Brent! More here.
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Airbnb Responds to 45’s Shithole Comments
Airbnb launched a six-figure digital ad campaign to highlight the company’s listings in Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa in the wake of Trump’s reported expletive-filled description of the countries and the continent. “We are proud of the fact that Airbnb hosts in Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa ... As world leaders engage in dialogue that is antithetical to our mission statement, we will continue to advocate for policies that open the world and bring us closer together,” the company said in a statement. On Wednesday, members of the Airbnb team will be in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to sign an MOU with the country’s Minister of Tourism Jessy Menos. The team will then travel to El Salvador to move forward on a similar agreement with San Salvador Mayor Nayib Bukele. The agreements will focus on destination promotion, sharing aggregate data, and establishing a stakeholder working group to identify ways to improve each country’s tourism infrastructure. In Haiti, Airbnb currently has 370 hosts and 580 listings. In El Salvador, Airbnb has 790 listings and 1,100 hosts. Additionally, they are launching a full-scale television and digital campaign to highlight the beauty of the people and landscapes across Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa. Beginning today, the television ad will run on MSNBC, CNN, FOX, Univisión, and Telemundo. See the ad here.
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|  | Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) on Friday visiting the TLC Family Resource Center in Downey, CA. | |  | CNN's Van Jones on Monday speaking about parole, probation, and re-incarceration for minor offenses. | |
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Patti Solís Doyle Says Hillary Clinton “Overruled” Her on Harassment Claims
Patti Solís Doyle, Hillary Clinton's 2008 Campaign Manager, yesterday told CNN that she had been overruled on the firing of faith advisor Burns Strider, who was accused of sexual harassment when he worked on that campaign. Strider was accused by a female campaign staffer of inappropriate touching, suggestive emails, and unwanted kissing; Strider was the woman’s supervisor and they shared an office. After learning about the complaint, Solís Doyle and other senior aides called for Strider’s firing, but Clinton would not dismiss him. When Brianna Keilar pushed Solís Doyle on if she was personally overruled by Clinton, Solís Doyle responded, "I was overruled, yes,” and that Clinton "made the wrong call." More here.
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Bill Richardson Quits Myanmar Advisory Board
Former UN Ambassador Bill Richardson delivered an unusual public rebuke by resigning last week from a Myanmar advisory board on the Rohingya crisis, calling it a pro-government “cheerleading squad” and chastising the country’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, whom he has long considered a friend. “She has developed an arrogance of power,” Richardson said by telephone to the NYT during a layover in Tokyo on his way back to New Mexico from Myanmar. “I’ve known her a long time and am fond of her, but she basically is unwilling to listen to bad news, and I don’t want to be part of a whitewash.” Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine State in western Myanmar for Bangladesh over the past five months. Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, has declined to speak out forcefully against the Myanmar military’s campaign of execution, rape, and arson against the Rohingya, which the United Nations and the United States have labeled 'ethnic cleansing.' Earlier this month, Richardson had been working on securing the release of two Reuters journalists arrested in the country. Richardson says Aung San Suu Kyi “exploded” at him when he raised their detention. Both journos, U Wa Lone and U Kyaw Soe Oo, are facing up to 14 years in prison under the country’s Official Secrets Act after they began investigating a mass grave of Rohingya in northern Rakhine. The pair remains in custody. More here.
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| FOMO Today, 10A: The Congressional Black Caucus holds a SOTU press conference. Studio B in the House Radio TV Gallery.
Today, 1:30P: House Democratic leaders hold a press conference with “Dreamers” who traveled to DC from across the country to attend the State of the Union address and push for a vote on DACA. HVC-215, U.S. Capitol. Click here to RSVP.
Today, 4P: Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman holds an open house with the family of Recy Taylor. Invite only.
Wednesday, January 31st, 5:30P: The African American Women on the Hill Network hosts a Welcome Back to Congress networking happy hour. Bullfeathers, 410 First Street, S.E. No RSVP necessary.
Thursday, February 1st, 6P: DC for Stacey hosts a reception/fundraiser for GA gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Park 14, 920 14th Street, N.W., 3rd & 4th Floors. RSVP to: info@jointintereststrategies.com.
Thursday, February 1st, 6:30P: DC Attorney General Karl A. Racine and the Washington Bar Association present a panel discussion, The State of Policing in Black America. Old Council Chambers, One Judiciary Square. 441 4th Street, N.W. Click here for more information.
Friday, February 2nd, 9A: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights holds a public hearing, “An Assessment of Minority Voting Rights Access in the United States.” Marriott Crabtree Raleigh Durham, 4500 Marriott Drive, Raleigh, NC. The event will be livestreamed. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, February 7th, 9:30A: The Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards. Dirksen SOB, Room 215. Click here to RSVP.
Thursday, February 8th - Friday, February 9th: The Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project Economic Summit. Sheraton Hotel, 811 7th Ave – 3rd Floor, NYC. Click here to register.
Monday, February 12th, 9:30A: The 2018 State of Indian Nations Address, delivered by Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians. A free ticketed event with limited seating. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Monday, February 12th, 7:30P: Pop Up Magazine - A Night of Live Stories, Winter Issue. A night of stories about the fascinating world around us. With photography, film, radio, and original music all mixed together and performed live onstage by a big cast of talented people. Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street, N.W. Click here to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, February 13th, 6P: The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosts the 9th Annual Avoice Heritage Celebration, "Black Veterans on the Front Lines of History." Naval Heritage Center/United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, February 13th, 7P: The Women’s Fund of Central Indiana hosts “A Moderated Conversation with Former First Lady Michelle Obama." Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 South Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 12th at 10A. Click here for more information and click here to purchase tickets.
Thursday, February 15th, 6P: A reception honoring Alejandra Castillo, the new CEO of the YWCA. Crowell & Mooring, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 9th Floor. RSVP to: teresa@hispanicheritage.org.
Tuesday, February 20th, 6P: Google hosts a Women of Color event honoring Women of Color on Capitol Hill. Invite only.
Wednesday, February 21st, 11A: Dialogue on Diversity tenth-annual colloquium exploring the past, present, and future of the internet: “INTERNET, DATA, & PRIVACY COLLOQUIUM LAW AND TECHNOLOGY: PATHS TOWARD A HUMANE SOCIETY.” The Raben Group, 1341 G Street. N.W., 5th Floor. Click here to register.
Wednesday, February 21st, 12P: The Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program and the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program sponsor “Drivers of Opportunity: How Will Latinos Shape the Future of the American Dream.” The Aspen Institute, 2300 N Street N.W., #700. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, February 21st - Friday, February 23rd: The NFL, along with Morehouse College and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), hosts a program in Atlanta to educate athletes on how to develop and implement effective advocacy platforms that positively impact society. Click here for more information.
Saturday, February 24th: The Association for the Study of African American Life and History hosts the 92nd Annual Black History Month Luncheon. Washington Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th Street, N.W. Click here for more information and to register.
Friday, March 9th - Saturday, March 10th: The Progressive Caucus Center hosts the 2018 Strategy Summit. Baltimore, MD. Click here to register.
Tuesday, March 13th, 7P: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials presents Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) with the 2018 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service during the organization’s annual Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala in DC. JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, March 14th, 9A: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute sponsors the CHCI Energy Summit: A World in Transition. Newseum, 5 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, March 14th - Sunday, March 18th: The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation 7th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit: Time for A Power Shift!!! Crystal City Marriott, 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, April 12th - Sunday, April 15th: The inaugural Black Millennial Political Convention. The gathering aims to increase engagement of Black Millennials in the political sphere and shed a light on policy issues impacting the Black community. Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, April 18th, 6P: The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) 2018 Gala and Awards. Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. To purchase tickets, contact Heaven Ocampo: hocampo@maldef.org or 213.629.2512 ext. 143.
Wednesday, April 18th - Saturday, April 21st: The National Action Network hosts its annual conference, this year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Sheraton Times Square, NYC. Click here for more information.
Thursday, April 19th: The University of North Dakota sponsors a conference on the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Standing Rock protests. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, April 25th - Friday, April 27th: The African American Mayor Association 2018 Annual Conference. DoubleTree Hotel, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. Click here to purchase tickets.
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