Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson to Keynote 2023 NC Black Summit

The North Carolina Black Alliance is pleased to announce the 2023 NC Black Summit’s keynote speaker as Tennessee House Representative Justin J. Pearson. As a member of the Democratic minority in the Republican-led Tennessee General Assembly, Pearson and his colleague Representative Justin Jones made national headlines for being expelled after protesting on the House floor in support of gun control in the aftermath of the mass shooting that killed six people at a Nashville school. Their expulsion sparked a national call to action in their defense, resulting in their reinstatement.

“We are honored to welcome Representative Pearson as our keynote for this year’s NC Black Summit,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, NC Black Alliance Chair. “Our annual Summit is an excellent opportunity for great political minds in North Carolina to connect and work together for the future of all North Carolinians, and we are thrilled to welcome attendees back to Raleigh since the COVID pandemic,” said Foushee.

Representative Pearson will address over 300 Black elected officials and community leaders across North Carolina during the 17th annual convening of the NC Black Summit in Raleigh. The conference theme, “Moving Forward with Knowledge and Purpose,” takes place April 27-28 and will include a legislative panel with North Carolina General Assembly members, the Jeanne H. Lucas Leadership Luncheon with remarks from State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, and state and local policy sessions.

To learn more about the NC Black Summit, visit www.ncblacksummit.org.