Hundreds of Black state lawmakers from around the country will gather in Atlanta this Friday for a weekend of networking and discussions focused on getting voters to the polls in November.

The conference will run through Sunday and is the precursor to a series of voter awareness events the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus plans to hold over the next months heading into the Nov. 5  general election. 

It is the first time the Georgia caucus has hosted state lawmakers from around the country, according to Rep. Carl Gilliard, D-Savannah, chairman of the 74-member Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. This year’s theme is “Redeeming the Soul of America: Testing 1, 2, 3.”

The gathering comes as political momentum is ramping up in Georgia and across the nation. The conference comes one day after Vice President Kamala Harris — the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee — spoke before a crowd of 10,000 in Atlanta.

“The momentum is so high,” Gilliard told State Affairs. “The rally in Atlanta was a true demonstration of what democracy looks like.” 

Gilliard attended the Harris rally, which included former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who was a kingmaker in Georgia for President Joe Biden’s bid for the White House in 2020.

This weekend’s Black caucus conference also will delve into community issues surrounding schools.

Just last week, Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods ignited a firestorm of criticism after he decided not to recommend the AP African American Studies course as part of the state’s list of classes. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus condemned Woods’ decision, calling it a “step backward.”

“We have to clap back. That’s one thing,” Gilliard said. “But we also have to have a plan.” 

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, is slated to be the keynote speaker at the GLBC Empowerment Luncheon at noon on Saturday, Aug. 3. Crockett, who has been vocal in Congress about voting and human rights issues, gained national attention in May after a caustic exchange with Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene went viral after the two traded insults over each other’s appearance and intellect.

The event starts with a roundtable discussion Friday at 6 p.m. at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, the site of the three-day convention. The talk will feature state leaders, lawyers, district attorneys, judges and elected officials. 

Other conference highlights include:

• The Unity Breakfast — Saturday at 9 a.m.

• A panel discussion about school concerns called “Saving Our Schools: Censorship and Ultra-Conservatism in the Classroom” — Saturday at 11 a.m. 
• A panel discussion on the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, a bill that would ban race-based hair discrimination. Georgia has not passed such a bill, but Atlanta Public Schools and Clayton and Gwinnett counties have taken such measures. The discussion is Saturday at 2 p.m.
• A panel discussion among young Black voters in the Democratic and Republican parties — Saturday at 3 p.m. 

The conference ends Sunday with a 9:45 a.m. worship service at The Enon Church in Atlanta.

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus was founded in 1975 and is the nation’s largest Black state caucus. Its members represent over 3 million people in Georgia.

For conference details, check the caucus website here.

Have questions, comments or tips? Contact Tammy Joyner on X @lvjoyner or at [email protected].