Denver Mayor Wellington Webb Hosts Black Mayors' 25th Annual Meeting

Jet, May 17, 1999

With "Cities for Centuries" as its theme, the National Conference of -Black Mayors (NCBM) recently held its 25th annual convention in Denver at its Adam's Mark Hotel.

The conference was hosted by Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb and was attended by more than 2,500 conventioneers, including 200 of the nation's nearly 450 Black mayors.

The four-day convention also brought together political leaders and activists representing more than 20 million constituents.

The convention addressed the challenges of the nation's cities as they enter the 21st century with workshops and seminars on such topics as the importance of the Census Bureau count in the year 2000, small businesses, the transition from welfare to work, the plight of Black farmers and concerns of today's Black youth.

Mayor Webb said, "Mayors are typically the elected officials that serve closest to the people. They are the CEOs of their respective cities and are held to a higher level of accountability than any other elected official."

NCBM President Gordon Bush, mayor of East St. Louis, IL, noted, "Our constituents have entrusted in us the hopes and dreams for a good quality life and for the future of their children. It is a great task, but one which we take reverently."

Ghana President Jerry Rawlings delivered the keynote address at the convention's closing night "Tribute To A Black American" dinner.

Rawlings, the first head of state to address the convention in its 25-year history, stressed the benefits of U.S. trade investment in Africa.

"Today, very serious reforms have taken place in many African countries. In general, the continent is much better governed than before."

Rawlings noted that African businesses have a 28 percent return on investment. "Don't be left behind," he told the mayors.

Legendary choreographer-dancer-cultural anthropologist Katherine Dunham received the "Tribute To A Black American" Award during the gala.

Julie Belafonte, wife of Harry Belafonte and a former principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, praised the dance pioneer as "a Black American woman of courage" who "refused to perform for segregated audiences."

Ms. Dunham, who is 89, joked with the audience, "If you're not on your way to getting old, you should feel sorry for yourself."

She noted, "I have been out here for a number of years. It is so great to be almost 90 years old. It is astonishing."

During the opening session of the conference U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman received a President's Award and delivered the opening keynote address.

Georgia Congressman John Lewis received the Fannie Lou Hamer Award, and Olympic track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee received the President's Award.

Other convention highlights included the annual Town Hall meeting on "The Future of Black America" hosted by New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, with participation from Hugh Price, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and a panel of mayors.

The conference also focused attention on the recent tragic high school shooting in nearby Littleton, CO, in which 12 students and a teacher were killed by two White students.

Michael Shoels, the father of Isaiah Shoels, the Black victim in the high school shooting, told the Black mayors, "I'm going to start a fight against hate. When I start this crusade, I want everyone out there to help me do this."

Officers elected during the convention included Prichard, AL, Mayor Jesse M. Norwood as president of the National Conference of Black Mayors; Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, 1st vice president; Mayor Marilyn Murrell, Arcadia, OK, 2nd vice president; and Mayor Marcia Glenn, Lithonia, GA, 3rd, vice president.

Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and the city of Dallas will host the annual convention in the year 2000.