This summer, Black Sorority and Fraternity national convention events, along with civil rights and health care groups, and the Essence Festival are meeting across the nation. African Americans are looking forward to and traveling to their national meetings by the thousands, some with virtual options, as many historic black groups are welcoming their memberships to traditional hotel – based and convention – center based gatherings this summer.
This is Part One of a two – part series that previews these events in chronological order, and we begin with the earlier ones that convene through mid – July, then pick up with the later ones next week.
The 2025 National Convention of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) with the theme, “The Black Press, Engaging Black America: Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity” is meeting from Wednesday, June 25 through Saturday, June 28 at the J. W. Marriott Savannah Plant District Hotel.
My Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi look forward to our 87th Grand Chapter Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, Tuesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 6. The 85th Grand Chapter Meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Phoenix in 2021 with the theme, “The Diamond in the Desert” but was converted to an all-virtual event due to the global COVID pandemic. This year the Konklave is in-person in Phoenix with the theme, “Our Commitment to Achievement Continues.”
For over 30 years, the Essence Festival of Culture® has been a vibrant homecoming and cultural pilgrimage — born from a celebration of Essence Magazine’s 25th anniversary. This year’s theme “We Are Made Like This” celebrates generations of Black brilliance, resilience, and rich cultural legacy, and honors 55 years of a legacy that has shaped, uplifted, and empowered generations. Every Fourth of July weekend, Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 this year, they gather in New Orleans to celebrate Black excellence in all its forms. Get details at: https://www.essence.com/essencefestival2025/
The 116th NAACP National Convention themed “The Fierce Urgency of NOW!” reaffirms their commitment to using collective ingenuity, creativity, and strength to continue the fight for civil rights and social justice in Charlotte, N.C. Wednesday, July 10 through Wednesday, July 16, along with their ACT-SO program, July 9 – 12.
Delta Sigma Theta meets again in Washington, D.C. Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, 2025. This year’s theme is “Forward with Fortitude: A Homecoming of Strength & Purpose.”
The National Dental Association holds its 112th annual convention, along with the 53rd Student National Dental Association convention from July 10th – 13th, in the city of Kansas City, MO, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. NDA is the most significant dental organization, representing dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, and dental assistants of African descent nationally and internationally. The NDA theme “Going Above and Beyond: Elevating Excellence, Empowering Futures” is reflected in the SNDA theme ”Stars of the Show.”
The National Urban League Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, Monday, July 14 through Saturday, July 19 in the Huntington Convention Center promises to be the largest and most influential gathering in the nation focused on civil rights and urban advocacy. It kicks off Wednesday, July 16 with the Host Night Celebration “Family Reunion: Bridging Generations Through Music and Culture” at Rocket Arena.
