Kicking off day 1 the SEIU AFRAM Leadership Conference
- lheronafram
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
✊🏾 Battered, Not Beaten: Defending Our Democracy Begins Today
Live from Rosemont, IL | April 3, 2025
Welcome to Day 1 of the 16th SEIU AFRAM National Leadership Development Conference — we’re officially underway in Chicago/Rosemont, and the energy in the room is undeniable. After months of planning and years of movement-building, AFRAM members, leaders, retirees, and New Gen activists are gathering once again under the powerful theme: “Battered, Not Beaten: Defending Our Democracy.”
Today marks the first official day of programming — and we are setting the tone for a weekend of strategy, growth, and unity.
💬 A Message from President Anton Farmby
In the SEIU AFRAM’s conference event program, National AFRAM President Anton Farmby reminded us why we’re here:
“As in the past, we come to this leadership conference with a multitude of political, social, and economic challenges that are hindering the advancement of minorities and people of color. But we are still standing — still organizing — still winning. When SEIU-AFRAM members get involved in political or contractual campaigns, we help labor-friendly candidates win elections; and when they win, we win real gains for working families.”
President Farmby’s message is both a rallying cry and a blueprint — to sharpen our agenda, expand organizing, and focus on sustained growth in the years ahead.
🟣 This Morning: New Gen Takes the Lead
This morning kicked off with the New Gen Breakfast followed by a General Assembly led by emerging AFRAM leaders who are building a bold future for the movement. With Sharté Andrews serving as Master of Ceremony, New Gen members are already showing what leadership in action looks like.
Photo Credit: Patricia Williams & Carl Horner
🔥 This Afternoon: Opening General Session
At 4 PM, we officially open our General Session with a program rooted in strength and purpose. You can feel the power in the room as we hear from:
Betty Boles with a heartfelt welcome
Genie Kastrup, SEIU Local 1 President
Joseph Bryant, SEIU International Executive Vice President
And prayer and grounding led by Lynnier Boyd
Our theme for the evening is “In Unity, Strength. In Action, Victory.” And the spirit of unity is alive and well right here in Rosemont.
💡 Looking Ahead
Over the next few days, we will:
Celebrate Black labor leadership, past and present
Dive into workshops on organizing, racial justice, and member services
Hear from powerhouse voices like Congressman Jonathan Jackson and SEIU International President April Verrett
Honor our legacy during the Sneaker Ball Gala
Connect across generations, regions, and roles
And most importantly — continue building power to defend our democracy
We’re also shaping AFRAM’s next two-year agenda — identifying the initiatives and strategies that will keep our caucus strong, connected, and unapologetically Black.
🙏🏾 Thank You to Our Sponsors and Leaders
We extend deep gratitude to our sponsors — including SEIU locals, W.A. Pritchett & Associates, and the dedicated host chapter in Chicago — as well as the legacy of leaders who laid the foundation for this moment.
🖤 Stay Plugged In
This conference is more than a gathering — it’s a charge to rise, organize, and lead. If you’re here with us in person, use this time to build, reconnect, and reimagine what’s possible. If you’re following along online, stay locked into updates at www.seiuafram.org.
We are battered, not beaten. And we are just getting started.
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