🔥 Day 2 Live: Power, Purpose, and Pure AFRAM Energy 🔥SEIU AFRAM National Leadership Development Conference – April 4, 2025

Day 2 of the SEIU AFRAM National Leadership Development Conference is in full swing, and the atmosphere is absolutely electric. From sunrise to mid-afternoon, the spirit of unity, resilience, and Black excellence pulses through every ballroom and hallway.

We start strong with a vibrant Buffet Breakfast, where members connect over great food and fuel up for a jam-packed day of impact and inspiration. The General Session that follows delivers moment after moment of power and purpose.

Harrison Bullard, Central Region President, leads us through the morning as Master of Ceremony. We are lifted by Marshall Jackson’s prayer, and the sounds of the National Anthem, Black National Anthem, and AFRAM's powerful theme song “Something Inside So Strong” set the tone for a day rooted in pride and progress.

Chicago poet Lesle Honore shares her moving piece “This City,” bringing emotion and a sense of place into the room. We receive heartfelt greetings from leaders including Jaquie Algee, Dian Palmer, Rocio Saenz, and State Senator Lakeshia Collins, each underscoring the urgency of the work and the strength of our collective voice.

Mid-morning, the crowd rises to welcome April Verrett, SEIU International President, introduced by Rod Bashir, AFRAM President Emeritus. Her address is electrifying—bold, strategic, and deeply motivating—setting a clear course for the work ahead.

We then transition into two impactful presentations—“Building Bridges for Victory in 2026” and “Changing Our Approach to Organizing”—offering insight and strategies to evolve our organizing power for the next generation of victories.

Then comes a spiritual and emotional crescendo: Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III takes the stage and delivers a spirit-evoking speech that stirs something deep within the audience. His words remind us that justice is sacred, and that our work is not just political—it’s profoundly moral. Everyone was fired up and wanted more from this powerful speaker.

As we approach the Award Luncheon, Anton Farmby, SEIU AFRAM National President, brings the house to a reflective hush with a thought-provoking call to action—challenging us to continue engaging in what the late John Lewis called “good trouble.” He reminds us that progress requires courage, disruption, and relentless commitment to justice.

Meanwhile, the vendor area is thriving! Members are loving the wide array of SEIU AFRAM merchandise, from signature tees to pins, hats, and accessories—all repping our movement in bold, vibrant ways. If you haven’t stopped by the merch tables yet, now’s the time.

Throughout the day, line dancing breaks keep the energy high and spirits light. Music, movement, and joy are just as much a part of this conference as the strategy sessions and speeches—because this is a full-body, full-heart experience.

Day 2 continues with more to come, and the momentum is only building. Stay tuned and stay engaged—because this movement is alive, and we are AFRAM strong.