The second day of the NNPA Annual Convention began with a breakfast sponsored by Neilsen featuring an inspirational address from the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and attended by professor and radio talk show host Michael Eric Dyson and his wife, the Rev. Marcia Dyson; Afrocentric philosopher Dr. Maulana Karenga, who originated the celebration of Kwanzaa; activist and university professor Dr. Cornel West; civil rights activist Ben Chavis; and the Rev. Eugene Rivers, a Boston-area pastor and MSNBC commentator.

A corporate partners forum followed, hosted by NNPA Chairman Danny Bakewell, Sr. with panelists Chuck Morrison representing Ford; Jocelyn K. Allen representing GM; Cheryl Pearson-McNeil representing Neilsen; and Michelle Thornhill representing Wells Fargo.

Lunch was served during a brief speech by the Rev. Al Sharpton with civil rights activist Martin Luther King III, media commentator Roland Martin, Chavis, the Dysons, Dr. Karenga, the Rev. Jackson, and Dr. West all in attendance and seated at the same table. Immediately thereafter, journalist George Curry hosted a spirited but cordial conversation between Dr. West and the Rev. Sharpton that briefly addressed their recent televised disagreement about the policies of the Obama administration, among other issues.

Later, Harvard Law School Professor Charles J. Ogletree facilitated a National Leaders Forum with Dr. Chavis, the Dysons, the Rev. Jackson, Dr. Karenga, and Dr. West.

Day Three ended with the Legacy of Excellence Dinner and Awards Gala recognizing the achievements of civil rights activist and broadcaster Xernona Clayton and Miami Times Publisher-Emeritus Garth Reeves, the NNPA's oldest living publisher. The Temptations provided after-dinner entertainment.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLES W. CHERRY II / FLORIDA COURIER