Thousands expected as NAACP National Convention officially kicks off in Boston

The 114th NAACP National Convention officially got underway Friday in Boston’s Seaport District.

“You can feel the energy here already,” Mayor Michelle Wu said following a welcome ceremony inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. “I’m excited for the impact this convention is going to have in our city.”

The convention had earlier been planned in Boston a few years back, but didn’t happen due to the pandemic, NAACP Chairman of the Board Leon Russell said earlier. The five-day event is the first NAACP national convention held in Boston since 1982, and will include more than 80 guest speakers discussing a “variety of hot-button topics impacting the Black community,” according to the NAACP.

“This is really an opportunity for us here in Boston to reintroduce ourselves to Black America,” said NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan. “We know the perception, the reputation we have as one of America’s most racist cities. This moment gives us the opportunity to reframe that.”

Around 6,000 NAACP delegates from around the country are expected to take part in the convention. Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Boston Saturday to deliver remarks, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

“This year is like any other year. We’re going to focus on affirmative action, women’s right to choose, and environmental concerns because the NAACP is a vehicle for Black America to establish what is our agenda and what should public policy look like to improve the quality of our lives,” NAACP National President Derrick Johnson said.

Candice Babbs traveled to Boston with four of her teen students taking part in the NAACP’s ACT-SO Achievement Program.

“I want the kids to see there are other kids out here like you who are doing great things and expanding their minds and being a part of something so much bigger than our rural area,” Babbs said.

The convention will include the 2023 “Thriving Together” Cinematic Shorts Competition, which will “provide six filmmakers/activists the opportunity to tell their stories of social justice,” according to the NAACP. It will also include “ACT-SO” programs, which stands for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics, during which high school students showcase their skills and talents in visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts.

Events will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center at 415 Summer St. in the Seaport. Attendees may take the T to the World Trade Center stop on the SL1 and SL2 lines. The convention is also about a 17-minute walk from South Station.

The convention is open to NAACP delegates and the general public. Tickets for the convention for the general public (as observers who are not voting) are $250 for adults and $110 for youths if purchased in advance and $275 for adults and $135 for youths if purchased on site.

Daily tickets, which may be purchased on site, are $100 for adults and $50 for youths.

Anyone from the general public with registration questions may get help by email at NAACPConvention@ConferenceDirect.com or by phone at 888-980-8839. Support is available Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information on the convention schedule, visit the NAACP website.

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