National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

4609-F Pinecrest Office Park Drive Alexandria, VA 22312-1442 (703) 658-1529 – phone (703) 658-9479 – fax www.noblenational.org

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Civil Rights Legend Reverend Jesse Jackson Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at NOBLE 40th Anniversary Training Conference Civil Rights Brunch Award honors lifelong dedication to civil and human rights and justice and equality advocacy July 17, 2016

July 17, 2016, ALEXANDRIA, VA. – The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) will host the annual Civil Rights Awards Brunch on Sunday, July 17th at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C. NOBLE will award noted Civil Rights Pioneer Jesse Jackson with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jackson, a veteran of the modern Civil Rights Movement, will be given the award for his lifelong activism and devotion to justice and civil rights, which has resulted in remarkable legislative and social change. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented by NOBLE National President Gregory A. Thomas.

The Civil Rights Awards Brunch is a signature event at the annual conference which has the theme ‘NOBLE @40: Justice by Action Then, Now and Tomorrow’ and runs July 16th- July 20th at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Recipients of the NOBLE Civil Rights Awards have contributed significantly to advancing civil rights, justice, and equality while demonstrating strength, courage, and resilience. Other honorees include Kristin Clarke-President & Executive Director of National Lawyers’ Committee, Vanita Gupta-U.S. Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman John Conyers, My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and AT&T for its It Can Wait campaign.

This hallmark achievement represents NOBLE’s pledge to its theme Justice by Action, Then, Now and Tomorrow. Pointing to recent events, President Thomas released a statement that noted—in part—that “During these moments, we need to push forward and ensure that there are less incidents such as those that occurred in Baton Rouge, LA, Falcon Heights, MN, Dallas, TX. We have to ‘step up’ collectively--law enforcement and the community--to bridge this ever- expanding gulf. There are challenges inside and outside of policing that are race-based and we must address them”.

WHO: Civil Rights Leader Reverend Jesse Jackson

WHEN: SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016 9:00 a.m. EDT

WHERE: Marriott Wardman Park 2660 Woodley Rd NW Washington, DC 20008

OPEN PRESS (Media check-in at the SunTrust Media Lounge (Congressional Room) pre-set: 7:00 a.m. EDT; Final Media Access: 8:15 a.m. EDT).

NOTE: All media must present a government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Members of the media must RSVP for the above event to by Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Cameras planning to cover the event should arrive an hour prior to the start time of the plenary session. The keynote address will be open to the press. Space is limited and not guaranteed. Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to [email protected]. Request regarding interviews with NOBLE leadership should be directed to [email protected].

About the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Since 1976, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has served as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. NOBLE represents over 3,000 members internationally, who are primarily African- American chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners. For more information, visit www.noblenational.org.