Keynote Address

The National Urban League 2007 Annual Conference kicked off with the Keynote Session tonight at American's Center in the convention hall. It was just 15 minutes before it was scheduled to begin and all of the front row seats were taken. But alas, I found myself in the second row off to stage right. Close enough to get some good photos off of the crisp clear jumbrotron ahead of me.

The new chairman of the National Urban League Board John D. Hofmeister presided over the keynote session and it was clear to see: this man was genuinely EXCITED to be here. He laid out some of the events that the conference attendees would have to look forward to such as plenary sessions, workshops and the career fair. He guaranteed us all "we have a great conference in store for you".

One of the remarkable opening speakers of the night was David Jerome Jordan Jr. A high school graduate and a product of the NULITES (National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed)program. David was introduced as a future leader of not only the Urban League movement but of also our generation.

Be on time. Have faith. Succeed.
Failure is not an option.

These were the words that punctuated his speech and got the audience worked up. Younger than myself and preparing to enter college this fall, David definitely has the art of public speaking under his belt. He was a great lead into the event we were all waiting for: The keynote address by the National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial.

Mr. Morial began with the acknowledgment that the Urban doesn't usually market our mission and accomplishments for the world to take note. The time has come for the Urban League to not only be bold but to also advocate for ourselves. The National Urban League doesn't just talk the talk but it has the actions to back up its words.

We serve the people, and we do it well. The National Urban League is committed to running a first class organization and getting the job done.

Mr. Morial's was a message of determination, optimism and graciousness. He spoke highly of the Presidential Forum that would occur on Friday and the expectations beholden. The session would not consist of what Mr. Morial called "drive by politics". There would be no bs, no beating around the bush or useless political rhetoric. There would be straight answers and real talk. A CONVERSATION.

Mr. Morial ended his address by stating that this young generation has all of the tools and resources to institute true and meaningful change. However, his question was do we have the will?

This insightful point made me recall the remarks of David Jerome Jordan Jr., the NULITEr.This generation, although we are younger we are well equipped. We attend conferences like these, we take copious notes at plenary sessions and we are engaged in the discussion of issues and alternative solutions. We are ready to stand up on the shoulders of the great generation before us in order to institute change.

We will be on time. We already have faith and believe. There is no reason for us not to succeed.

Failure is not an option.

-Adaeze Udoji