“THE FIGHT CONTINUES…”

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

These are sobering times.

We’ve just celebrated a historical milestone in the passage of the Healthcare Reform Bill.  But this is just the beginning of the fight which is still ahead.  Any step in the right direction is evidence of progress, but we don’t need to take baby steps…we need to take long, swift strides toward completely closing the gap between healthcare disparities, economic and social injustice.

We read the headlines that speak to the 8 million Americans who have lost their jobs; unemployment hovers at 10 percent nationally--we need folks back to work NOW!  How is the changing face of Labor affecting us as we continue to see ways to organize our workplaces?  Just as we raised our voices to demand healthcare reform, we need to raises our voices to fight for better working conditions, fair wages and to keep our pensions.  We need to raise our voices to support the Employee Free Choice Act for the freedom to form unions and bargain. We must work together and not allow our communities to be weakened by violence, hatred and discrimination.

Our founders A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin knew that in order to get justice, they had to advocate, agitate and fight.  It is for this reason that our theme for the 41st Annual National Education Conference is : ‘THE FIGHT CONTINUES…”

This year’s conference will convene on August 18-22, 2010 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel & Suites, St. Louis, Missouri. We have negotiated a rate of $119.00 per night (double/single occupancy). Reservations should be made directly with Marriott Reservations at : 1 800 397-1282 or 1-314 621 9600.  Please identify yourself as a participant in the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) 2010 National Education Conference.  (NOTE THAT THE CUT OFF DATE FOR THE APRI RATE IS:  JULY 9, 2010).

 Look forward to another stimulating agenda beginning with dynamic workshops and forums, speakers, presenters from the civil rights, faith and labor organizations, and celebrity guests.  Be sure to join us Saturday night August 21, 2010 for our Awards Dinner and Gala.  This is the premiere event which will give you an opportunity to socialize with your fellow activists and salute our Honorees in the Labor Community.  And, of course, we will conclude the Conference with an inspirational “Worship Service” on Sunday. 

Additional information, including the agenda will be available on the APRI website: http://www.apri.org/ ….so log on and be informed!

I urge you to complete the attached Conference Registration Form as early as possible and make plans to join us in St. Louis.

In Unity,

Clayola Brown, National President