The Florida Democratic Party will hold its annual Leadership Blue event on Saturday, June 17th. The event will bring together Democrats from across the state. FDP will host several panels and forums throughout the day in advance of the evening gala.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bill Nelson will headline the Leadership Blue dinner. The day’s speakers also include DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake and Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson. A full list of participants and further details can be found below. Members of the press are encouraged to RSVP using this form. Please note that media interested in attending the gubernatorial forum should RSVP here.
What: Annual Florida Democrats Leadership Blue gala
Where: The Diplomat Resort
Below are more details on the day’s events:
Our Voice, Our Issues Panel, 11:00-12:30 pm
Moderator: Representative Cynthia Stafford
Panelists: State Senator Oscar Braynon
State Represenative Carlos Guillermo Smith
Anna Eskamani, Planned Parenthood
Tom Conboy, South Florida Engineering and Consulting LLC
Mary Green, President of the Brevard Democratic Disability Caucus
Ghazala Salam, American Muslim Democratic Caucus
The Resistance Panel, 1:00-2:30 pm
Moderator: DeRay McKesson, Black Lives Matter; Pod Save the People, This is the Movement
Panelists: Dominik Whitehead, AFSCME and Lead Organizer on Betsy Devos HBCU protests
Ida Eskamani, Organize Florida
Charo Valero, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Maria Rodriguez, Florida Immigrant Coalition
Carrie Feit, Women’s March of Florida
Karla Hernandez Mats, United Teachers of Dade
Gubernatorial Panel, hosted by the Progressive Caucus of Florida, 3:00-4:30 pm
Moderator: Keith Fitzgerald, former State Representative
Panelists: Mayor Andrew Gillum
Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham
Chris King
Leadership Blue Gala, 7:00-9:00 pm
Speakers: Former Vice President Joe Biden
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake
State Senator Oscar Braynon
State Senator Jeff Clemens
State Representative Janet Cruz
State Representative Kionne McGhee
State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith
Mayor Wayne Messam
Commissioner David Arreola
Ana Eskamani
Ida Eskamani
FDP Chair Stephen Bittel
FDP President Sally Boynton Brown
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Saturday, June 17th, 2017
9AM-10AM
Rules Training
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
An introduction to Robert’s Rules of Order and the process and procedures needed to run an effective meeting.
10AM-11AM Legislative Liason Committee Meeting, Room 214
10AM-11AM DCCA, Room 307
10AM-11AM
Ideas for Action: 2017 Janet Reno Challenge Grant Presentations
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
A forum on new ideas and best practices presented by our 2017 Janet Reno Challenge Grant recipients.
11AM-4PM Ad Hoc Committee on Rules and Bylaws, Diplomat Ballroom 2
11AM- 12:30PM
Our Voice, Our Issues: Panel on Intersectionality
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
A candid panel discussion on the intersections of race, culture, and the issues affecting our state.
11AM-12PM LGBTA Caucus, Rooms 212 & 213
11AM-12PM Labor Caucus, Room 216
11AM-12PM Black Caucus, Room 307
11AM-12PM Young Dems, Room 214
12PM-1PM Hispanic Caucus, Rooms 212 & 213
12PM-1PM Senior Caucus, Room 216
12PM-1PM VAN Training: Basic and Advanced, Room 307
12PM-1PM American Muslim Democratic Caucus, Room 214
1PM-2:30PM
The Resistance Panel
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
A discussion on protests, direct action, and coordinating to make change.
1PM-2PM Small County Coalition, Rooms 212 & 213
1PM-2PM Disability Caucus, Room 216
1PM-2PM Women’s Caucus, Room 307
1PM-2PM Caucus of American Jews, Room 214
2PM-3PM Veteran’s Caucus, Rooms 212 & 213
2PM-3PM Haitian American Caucus, Room 216
2PM-3PM Environmental Caucus, Room 307
2PM-3PM Campaign Committee Meeting, Room 214
3PM-4:30PM
2017 Gubernatorial Candidate Forum
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
Hosted by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida.
5PM-7PM Dinner Registration and Ticket Pick Up, Grand Ballroom East
6PM-7PM Chair’s Reception, Great Hall Foyer
7PM-9PM 2017 Leadership Blue Gala
Great Hall 3-6
Featuring Keynote Speaker Former Vice President Joe Biden
Sunday, June 18th, 2017
8AM-9AM State Central Committee Registration, Diplomat Ballroom 3
9AM-11AM State Central Committee Meeting, Diplomat Ballroom 3
11AM-12PM
Candidate Recruitment Training
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
A how-to primer on identifying strong candidates and avoiding the pitfalls of campaigns entering the start-up phase.
12PM-1PM
How to Talk to Your Neighbors
(RSVP)
Diplomat Ballroom 3
Strategies and tips for peer-organizing and developing projects and plans to fully engage your members.