Self-repair and the improvement of the Black community will take center stage at the upcoming 6th annual All Black National Convention in Orlando, Fla. Organized by the Black Business School, an online course hub focused on building Black wealth and businesses, the convention aims to cover and increase the knowledge of participants across several areas—all designed to promote Black progress.
Each day of the convention, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, will focus on a specific theme, including “Black Love,” “The Mis-Education & Re-Education of the Negro” and “The All Black Laws of Power & Wealth in 2021.” Conference goers will be able to network, attend panel discussions and enjoy themselves at social events.
Dr. Boyce Watkins, a social commentator, financial expert and businessman, said when choosing the topics to focus on, he and his committee considered what Black people were concerned about, and what problems needed to be solved. The Covid-19 pandemic, toxic hip-hop and record labels with ill-intentions, as well as nurturing and educating Black children were big themes. In fact, college students who present a valid college ID will be able to attend for free. But another idea also presented itself––who are the real heroes in the Black community?
“I wasn’t looking for Hollywood celebrities. I wanted the people in the community who are really moving the needle and say, how can we help you move that needle a little faster, a little further?” Dr. Watkins said. “What can we provide that will help you get your job done more effectively?”
This led to the selection of panelists, which include Queen Afua, a wellness coach and holistic health practitioner; Rizza Islam, a Nation of Islam member, activist and author; Jullien Gordon, a multi-family real estate investor; Jeff Lightsy Jr., a sports reporter; Nuri Muhammad, a Nation of Islam student minister; Akilah Nehanda, a conscious rapper; and others.
Ms. Afua is set to deliver a keynote during the convention. She says talking about health in the Black community is important, especially during this time of the pandemic.
“Your home has to become the hospital and a wellness center,” she said. “The home has become the new hospital and self-care has become healthcare. Each of us has the responsibility to become a resource for those in our communities that need immediate and preventative care.”
Ms. Nehanda, who is also in the Nation of Islam, has been rapping for about nine years and was invited by Dr. Watkins to perform and speak on a panel titled, “The Corporatized Weaponization of Hip-Hop.” She is excited to discuss solutions to an old problem.
“Hip hop can either help elevate the consciousness of the people or keep us mentally dead,” Ms. Nehanda said. “It is the pulse of the freedom movement. All great movements have been led by youth and all great movements have had a soundtrack, if you will. We need to make sure that [the] soundtrack progresses the people.”
Nuri Muhammad participated in last year’s convention. This year, he’ll be part of a panel titled, “War, Peace, and Love: The True Cost of the Gender War between Men & Women” and is also set to deliver a keynote on Black love. He says this topic is dire in the Black community.
“You can’t talk about economics without talking about family; you can’t talk about health without talking about family; you can’t talk about education without talking about family. You can’t talk about the establishment of rules, laws, bylaws and government without talking about family,” Nuri Muhammad said. “So, as the Minister has told us, that where there are no strong marriages, you can’t have a strong family, and where there are no strong families, you can’t have a strong community, where there’s no strong community you won’t have a strong nation.”
Last year’s convention was held virtually, but with this year’s is live and in person. Dr. Watkins said the idea of love will be easier to convey.
“The ability of a human being to simply be in the room with a human being means that you’re fully connected and you’re communicating [with] that person,” Dr. Watkins said.
“If I can’t be near you, give you a hug, engage with you in person, and so while the virtual conference was very successful, this conference is really about forming those connections that will allow us to do whatever we want,” he said.
So far, at least 500 people have registered to attend, with a limit of 1,000 people.
Dr. Watkins wants everyone to walk away from the convention being more enlightened.
“As long as we’re under the B1 umbrella, the B1 philosophy, meaning Black First, put our own people at the top of the priority list, plan for the future, come together as a community, then I think every individual is going to walk away with a different revelation,” he said.
To register, you can go to blacknationalconvention.com.
