The People’s Organization For Progress announced today that it has endorsed the 2022 National Black Political Convention that will be held this spring in New Jersey. 

The convention was announced last week at a press conference by Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, Mayor Antar Lumumba of Jackson, Mississippi, and musician and activist James Mtume.

These three will serve as the national co-conveners of the convention. 

The convention is scheduled to take place Thursday, April 28th to Sunday, May 1st at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey. 

The purpose of the convention is to bring together black leaders, activists, and individuals for a collective dialogue to chart a future course and direction for Black America. 

The convention is being held next year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1972 National Black Political Convention that was held in Gary, Indiana. 

The co-conveners of that convention were writer and activist Amiri Baraka, the late father of Mayor Ras Baraka, Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary, Indiana, and Congressman Charles Diggs of Detroit. 

“The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) endorsement of the 2022 National Black Political Convention is being made public for the first time today,” stated Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress. 

POP voted to endorse the convention at its weekly meeting that was held last week Hamm said. 

“POP commends Mayor Baraka, Mayor Lumumba, and James Mtume for calling this convention. It is a timely and much needed event for the 21st century,” Hamm said. 

“We urge everyone who is concerned about the current condition and future development of Black Americans to attend and participate in this convention,” Hamm said. 

Hamm who was present for the announcement of the 2022 convention was also the youngest elected delegate to the 1972 convention in Gary, Indiana. 

He was also elected to the National Black Political Assembly and the National Black Political Council which were charged with implementing the National Black Agenda that came out of the 1972 Gary convention. 

“Just as the Gary convention changed my life and deepened my involvement in the Black Liberation Movement during the 20th century, I hope that next year’s convention will do the same for others in this century,” Hamm said.