Black Policy Conference - Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Black Policy Conference 2008
VICTORY IN UNITY
Realizing the Dream Deferred
April 17-18th, 2009
"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."

- Douglas Everett


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Black Policy Conference 2008 Keynote Speaker: Anthony Brown, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Dr. Ian Smith, VH1 Celebrity Fit Club. Black Policy Conference 2008 Panelist on "Campaigns to Improve our Health: African-Americans and Obesity"
2007 Black Policy Conference Keynote Speaker: Dr. Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University
2008 recipient of Donald M. Stewart Alumni Achievement Award: Former Mayor Anthony Williams, Mayor of the District of Columbia, 1999 - 2007
Transforming Lives: Models for Education Reform Panel, Black Policy Conference 2008.
WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENTS SPEAKERS

Over the past five years, the Harvard Kennedy School Black Policy Conference has grown into the leading policy-driven forum addressing issues affecting communities within the African Diaspora and Africa. The 5th Annual conference, “Victory in Unity: Realizing the Dream Deferred” is a celebration of the success of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and the shifting tide in the outlook of the future of Black people domestically and throughout Africa and the Diaspora.

The longing for fulfillment of a dream is common among all classes, ethnicities, and nationalities in America and beyond.  Langston Hughes, an African-American poet and author, tapped into this powerful illustration by asking, “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode?” We believe Barack Obama’s election symbolizes a step towards the realization of our dreams deferred. His power to unite across race, political ideology, gender, and class represents an alternative that each of us should consider when devising solutions to the troubled dynamics of race and inequality throughout the world.

Last year, we sought to provide attendees with the tools to make a difference in their communities by discussing practical solutions that have improved the quality of life of Black people worldwide.  This year, we intend to take advantage of the current state of affairs that provide an enormous opportunity to discuss ways we can use these tools to further realize our dreams and unify our communities.

Black Policy Conference Steering Committee:

Shannan Williams
Chair

Rasheba Johnson
Associate Chair

Marsha Bannister
Vice-Chair

Naima Green
Associate Vice-Chair
In partnership with

  • Governor Deval Patrick to Attend the 5th Annual Black Policy Conference

    2 Apr 2009 7:02 pm
    We are honored and humbled to announce to you that GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK of Massachusetts will be opening the 5th Annual Harvard Black Policy Conference on Friday morning, April 17th! He will be joined by The Honorable Bennie Thompson (MS-2nd Dist.) and several other prominent speakers during the Running for Public Office Bootcamp throughout Friday. Register Now!

  • Book Hotel Rooms for the Conference at a Discount Price

    3 Feb 2009 10:21 am
    The Marriott has graciously given us rooms at the low cost of $203.00 a night. Book now by following this link.

  • REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

    22 Jan 2009 11:07 am
    Click here for details.

  • Susan L. Taylor to Speak at the 5th Annual Black Policy Conference

    19 Jan 2009 7:39 pm
    Susan L. Taylor is the founder of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor Emeritus of Essence Magazine.

  • New Website Launched

    2 Sep 2008 4:43 pm
    The Black Policy Conference just launched a new website to keep you informed about updates leading up to the conference. It it our hope that this site becomes more than just a site about the conference, but also an opportunity to connect individuals with an interest in Black policy.

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The Honorable Deval Patrick
Governor of Massachusetts

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Author, Radio Show Host, and Professor at Georgetown University

The Honorable Donna Edwards
US House of Representatives, 4th District of Maryland

The Honorable Bennie Thompson
US House of Representatives, 2nd District of Mississippi
Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute

Dr. John Jackson
President and CEO of The Schott Foundation for Public Education

Susan L. Taylor
Emeritus Editor of Essence, Founder of National Cares Movement
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Harvard Kennedy School Black Policy Conference | Copyright ©2008
The President and Fellows of Harvard College.