"Leadership is a Journey, Not a Destination."

About Us

Initiatives that strengthen our ability to be effective advocates individually and collectively effecting real social change in our communities. Throughout the weekend, economic development and entrepreneurship; civic engagement and voting rights; criminal justice; education; health advocacy and environmental justice are topics for discussion. Professionals in finance, education, political leaders, lawyers, healthcare providers, environmentalists, and leaders in the civil rights and social justice arena, will lend their knowledge to help create innovative and effective strategies for advancing positive change for our families, communities and our society.

Since its inception in 2005, Leadership 500 has served as a fertile training ground for leadership development, professional networking, partnerships and effective civil rights and social justice advocacy for more than 4,000 mid-level professionals who have attended the Summit. They have returned to their respective professions in the public and private sector, empowered as leaders, to contribute in a meaningful way to their place of business and to their respective community.

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. With more than ½ million members in state/area conferences, branches and youth units, throughout the United States and abroad, the NAACP is the paramount voice of advocacy for civil rights, social justice, and equal opportunity for all in communities throughout the world.

What is Our Goal?

Leadership 500 is the premier conference and networking event for Executives, Educators, Managers, Thought Leaders and for those aspiring leaders from the Corporate, Non Profit, Health, and Government sectors. Leadership 500 was founded for the purpose of developing leaders through direct engagement, seminars and networking events designed to inspire, educate and motivate the next generation of Leaders.

Leadership 500 provides attendees with a variety of educational and networking formats in a relaxed family friendly setting where the Nation's well known and emerging leaders gather and conduct panel discussions with participants. Attendees will add to their knowledge toolkit increasing their ability to lead and develop others as a result of the skills and knowledge exchanges Leadership 500 helps to facilitate.

  • Attendees will learn to optimize their thinking, improve decision making
  • Attendee will learn empowering skills but also be able to empower others upon their return to the work place
  • Attendees will develop local and national level contacts that could lead to increased business, mission or goal attainment for their company

"Breaking Barriers and Leading the future"

Speakers

Dr. Lisa Ashe
D.O. Medical Director
Be Well Medical Group

Michael A. Curry, Esq.
Immediate Past President of the Boston Branch of the NAACP (2011-2016)
NAACP National Board of Directors Member

Nate Miles
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Eli Lilly

Deborah Owens
America's Wealth Coach™

Dr. Michele Claudette Reed
Owner & Medical Director
MS Family Medicine Health Care

Michael T. Turner
Chief of Staff
Wayne County Sherriff's Office
NAACP National Board of Directors Member

Sheri Riley
Empowerment Speaker, Life Strategist, Life Strategist and Author of Exponential Living - Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are

Brittany N. Packnett
Vice President of National Community Alliances, Teach For America and Co-Founder, Campaign Zero

MAJOR.
Celebrity Recording Artist
"Why I Love You"

SCHEDULE

2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

General Office

318 South Tower


3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Faith Clergy Roundtable Discussion

212/213 South Tower

This discussion is open to Religious Leaders to discuss the critical role of faith and the civil rights movement. Faith Leaders will leave this session having given their constructive critique of the NAACP and having identified their role in the 21st Century social justice movement.

This dialogue will be guided by the following key themes:

  1. Faith in Action
  2. Gap Analysis
  3. NAACP Priorities
  4. Prophetic Voices

Welcome and Overview
Shavon Arline-Bradley, Founding Principal, REACH Beyond Solutions, LLC.


5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Welcome Reception

South Palm Court

Welcome and Overview
Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman Emeritus, NAACP

Sponsor Greetings
Walmart

Passed Hors d'oeuvres and Entertainment

8:00 am - 9:00 pm

General Office

318 South Tower


8:00 am - 8:45 am

Breakfast

Diplomat 4 & 5


9:00 am - 12 Noon

"The NAACP's Hallway Reputation" Panel & Discussion

DIplomat 3

The purpose of this panel discussion is to hear the "Hallway Reputation" of the NAACP across different industries. Upon hearing the response of the panelist, summit participants will engage in open and honest dialogue regarding the future direction of the NAACP during it's re-imagining transition phase.

Moderator:

Bakari Sellers, Attorney, Strom Law Firm, L.L.C.

Panelists:

speaker
Brittany Packnett, VP of National Community Alliances, Teach for America Co-Founder, Campaign Zero

Rev. Delman Lamont Coates, Ph. D., Sr. Pastor, Mt. Ennon Baptist Church (Clinton, MD) President, Black Church Center for Justice & Equality

speaker
MAJOR., Celebrity Recording Artist, "Why I Love You"

Jotaka Eaddy, VP of Policy, Strategic Engagement & Impact, LendUP

Program:

Welcome

speaker
Michael A. Curry, Esq.

Sponsor Video Greeting
Roger Guzman, TJX Companies

The NAACP Hallway Reputation
Bakari Sellers & Panelists

Tech Feedback

speaker
Michael Curry, Esq.
Tonya Banks
, Sr. System Administrator, NAACP

Closing Remarks
Leon W. Russell, Chairman NAACP National Board of Directors


12 Noon - 2:00 pm

Re-Imagine the NAACP Working Luncheon

Diplomat 4 & 5

The purpose of this luncheon is to identify specific action steps that attendees want to see the NAACP take in order to become more effective in this generation. The specific table top topics include: Civic Engagement – GOTV; Healthcare – ACA Repair/Replace; Education - Charter schools; Public Safety – Aggressive Policing/ Inner City Violence; Stakeholder Partnerships; Membership & Outreach; Leadership Pipeline.

Welcome
Rose Blackburne, MD, MBA, Executive Medical Director, Global Product Development, PPD

Sponsor Greetings
Niesha Foster, Sr. Director of Corporate Affairs Pfizer Inc.

Lunch is Served

NAACP Program Highlights
Derrick Johnson, NAACP Interim President & CEO

Luncheon Charge
Nicholas Wiggins, Senior Consultant, Values Partnerships

Table Top Discussions

Closing Remarks
Faith T. Blackburne, Consultant Capitol View Strategies


2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

What's In It For Me? (WIIFM) Breakout Sessions

318 South Tower

These breakout sessions will focus on personal & professional development strategies that attendees can take back and incorporate in their everyday lives.

Exponential Living - Brand Creation

306 North Tower

Session Speaker: Sheri Riley

speaker

About: Empowerment Speaker, Life Strategist, Life Strategist and Author of Exponential Living - Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are, she works with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and all around busy individuals, like us, to make choices that lead to less stress, better clarity, and a More fulfilling. She speaks around the world, sharing her message of "Peace is the New Success"

Books will be available for purchase.

Living a Healthy Life

308 North Tower

Session Speakers: Dr. Lisa Ashe (Be Well) and Dr. Michele Reed (Mental Health)

speaker

About Dr. Ashe: Dr. Lisa Ashe is one of the leading Board Certified Internal Medicine physicians serving the greater Washington, D.C. metro area. She completed her medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Internship at Georgetown University, and completed her residency at The George Washington University and Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. With a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union University, marrying her medical expertise and spiritual studies, she runs the Be Well Medical Group, a top concierge medical practice that promotes the physical, spiritual and mental well-being of patients.

speaker

About Dr. Reed: Dr. Michele Claudette Reed, affectionately known as "Fit Doc", had aspirations of becoming a doctor and has dedicated her life to serving her community and working as an advocate for overall wellness and the prevention of chronic diseases. She's currently the owner and Medical Director of MS Family Medicine Health Care in New York. The woman they call "Fit Doc" is deeply rooted in the fabric of the community where she spearheads health initiatives for numerous organizations. Dr. Michele's debut book "Mentally Fit, Physically Strong: The Fit Doc's Guide to Real Life, Real Fitness, Real Health" was released May 2017 and became a bestseller on Amazon in June 2017.

Books and Health Products will be available for purchase.

7 Habits of Wealthy People

302 North Tower

Session Speaker: Deborah Owens

speaker

About: Financial Expert, Media Personality, Author, Speaker & America's Wealth Coach. A financial services veteran with more than 20 years of experience and a former vice president for Fidelity Investments. Deborah is on a mission to show people of all incomes how to build wealth. As president of Owens Media group, she develops customized training and work life programs for corporations and organizations on multi-media platforms

Books will be available for purchase.


2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Resource Lounge

301 North Tower

Please be sure to visit this digital lounge to gain more knowledge on the history of Leadership 500, the work of the NAACP and the Association's six Game Changers.


4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

NAACP NexGEN Training

302 Conference Room North Tower

Instructor:

speaker
Michael A. Curry, Esq. Immediate past President of the Boston Branch of the NAACP (2011-2016) NAACP National Board of Directors Member


6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

All White Appreciation Dinner

Diplomat 4 & 5

Please join us for an All White (with a Pop of Purple) Appreciation Dinner

Welcome

speaker
Michael Turner, Chief of Staff, Wayne County Sherriff's Office NAACP National Board of Directors Member

Sponsor Greetings

speaker
Nate Miles, VP for Strategic Initiatives, Eli Lilly

Dinner and Entertainment


9:00 am - 3:30 pm

General Office

318 South Tower


9:00 am - 9:45 am

Breakfast

Diplomat 4 & 5


10:00 am - 2:00 pm

(Take it to the Streets) Closing Session

Diplomat 3

This closing session will allow attendees to tie it all together and prepare to take what they learned back to their communities.

Closing Summit Remarks
Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman Emeritus, NAACP

Sponsors

Event Location

Diplomat Beach Hotel
3555 S Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
Phone: (954) 602-6000
Website: www.diplomatresort.com/

For Summit information please contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@naacpnet.org