Va. SCLC unit to hold 30th annual convention

The Virginia State Unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference will hold its 30th annual convention this weekend.

The convention is back after three years during which the state SCLC unit was inactive. Events, however, were held during that time at the local SCLC chapters, organization leaders said.

This year's program will start with a women's luncheon today at noon, where Del. Rosalyn R. Dance, D-Petersburg, will serve as the keynote speaker. Then, Byron Clay, the national SCLC president and CEO, will speak during the larger evening meeting.

Tomorrow's events include a breakfast with special guest Kirk Jones, union executive with the A. Phillip Randolph Foundation, and a banquet at 6 p.m. with speaker Jack W. Gravely.

Youth activities scheduled for tonight include workshops on topics such as how youths cope with unhealthy and abusive relationships; the dangers of misuse of the Internet and cell phones, including "sexting"; and coping with peer pressure. A fashion show appropriate for ages 12 to 18 also is included in the program.

Educating youths and working with them has been an important facet of the convention since its beginning, said Hopewell's Curtis W. Harris, who serves as chairman of the state SCLC board. He said it was a key issue that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had in mind when he started the SCLC more than 50 years ago.

The state unit now plans to continue to "deal with problems with the community, problems with youth, problems with discrimination," Harris said, noting that the organization is working closely with chapters across the state.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .