During the opening plenary of this year's conference, we will release the 50th edition of the acclaimed State of Black America Report®. The 2026, America at 250: Is the American Dream Dead?, assesses whether the country upheld its promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The report answers the question: if the American dream is out of reach, is it salvageable or is it time to imagine a new one?
Visit stateofblackamerica.org to explore the report.
Karl F. Dean Grand Ballroom C, 4th Floor
Americans are not feeling optimistic about the future. In the 50th edition of our State of Black America report, we reflect on how Americans feel about the promise of this country, liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness as the nation turns 250. In this highly anticipated address, hear from our President and CEO, Marc H. Morial, policymakers, and young people who, in the face of soaring living costs, political tensions, and challenges to our rights, attempt to answer the question: Is the American Dream Dead?
Preceding: Rhonda Spears Bell, Senior Vice President & Executive Producer, National Urban League Conference
Presiding: Tim Murphy, Vice Chair, Mastercard, Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Urban League
Sponsor Remarks:
Monica Denise Womack, General Manager, Sustainable Development Division | Business & Community Engagement, Toyota North America, Inc.
David Durant, Chief Legal & Regulatory Affairs Officer, Earnin
Remarks:
Ashley Upkins, President, National Bar Association
Marc H. Morial, President & Chief Executive Officer, National Urban League
Clifton E. Harris, President & CEO, Urban League of Middle Tennessee
Remarks/Greetings: Honorable Freddie O'Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Remarks: Ben Crump, Esq., Civil Rights Attorney, Founder of Ben Crump Law, Co-Founder, DreamFi
Panel 1: Youth Leadership Summit Students Panel
Moderator: Charisma Countessa Deberry, Communications Executive & Media Personality
Panelists:
Daisy Larbi, President, Project Ready, Urban League of Greater Hartford
Lillian Taylor, Member, National Urban League of Hampton Roads Youth Council
David Perrin, President, National Urban League Youth Council
Dekarion Wimberly, Member, Project Ready, Lorain County Urban League
Panel 2: State of Black America Authors
Moderator: Ed Gordon, Emmy Award-winning Broadcaster, President, Ed Gordon Media
Panelists:
Van Jones, CNN Host; Founder, DreamMachine.org and Founder, RAPPORT.co
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, U.S. Representative (TX-30)
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of African American Studies, Vanderbilt University
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Tim Murphy is vice chair of Mastercard, where he serves as a global...Read more
Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation'
...Read more
Freddie O'Connell is the 10th mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson...Read more
Rhonda Spears Bell is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with more than 30 years...Read more
Charisma Deberry is an award-winning communications executive known...Read more
Named to the TIME100 list of the 100 most influential people in 2021 and The NNPA Top Black...Read more
As a public defender, civil rights attorney, State Representative,...Read more
Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, entrepreneur, and world-class changemaker. Jones has a...Read more
Michael Eric Dyson is one of the nation’s most renowned professors, gifted writers, inspiring...Read more
In his current role at Earnin, David Durant oversees all aspects of legal, compliance,...Read more
Hard-hitting, inspiring, intelligent, honest, and direct—these words define the style and...Read more
Monica Womack leads and develops the business and community strategy for Toyota, overseeing all...Read more
President Ashley Upkins broke barriers as the first woman from Tennessee elected to lead the...Read more
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad has over 20 years of experience addressing racial and economic...Read more
Daisy Larbi is a rising senior at Bloomfield High School in Connecticut, where she serves as...Read more
Lillian Taylor is a rising senior at Bayside High School. She is actively involved in the...Read more
David Perrin served as president of the National Urban League Youth Council for the 2025-2026...Read more
Dekarion Wimberly is a member of the Lorain County Urban League’s Project Ready program. A...Read more
