Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, a rising star in the Missouri Democratic Party, will share a national stage with other young black leaders during the Democratic National Convention next week in Denver.
Triplett will speak during the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute’s “Change Agents: Access, Influence, Empowerment” session, one of the daily sessions which run throughout the week.
“I look forward to sharing my personal observations regarding the present state of African Americans in business and government and look forward to learning and exploring the comments of my fellow panelists,” said Triplett, who is also serving as a Missouri delegate.
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss) will moderate her panel.
Triplett is one of many black delegates who will be in Denver, including U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay.
“I’m excited about being a part of this historic moment – one of the greatest in this nation’s history,” said Clay, co-chair of Obama’s Missouri Campaign.
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri will speak on Monday evening prior to Michelle Obama’s evening keynote address.
Before arriving in Denver, McCaskill is taking part in a weeklong RV tour of the state to promote Obama’s campaign.
The 17-city tour includes a mix of town hall meetings, news conferences and other events. It’s part of the Obama campaign’s effort to connect with voters in rural Missouri, where Democrats think they are in play in this election cycle.
Obama was set to name his vice presidential running mate as early as today (August 21), and the nation is eagerly awaiting his nomination acceptance speech from Invesco at Mile High Stadium on the evening of August 28. Clay hinted that it would take on aspects of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which the slain civil rights leader delivered on August 28, 1963.
“Barack Obama has been tested all along (the campaign), and he has passed with flying colors,” Clay said, adding that he expects “a powerful performance.”
Diversity on display
More than 25 percent of the elected delegates in Denver will be African American, a 5 percent increase over 2004, according to the DNC.
Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, a convention co-chair, spoke with black journalists on a DNCC conference call on Monday.
“It’s not just the number of delegates. African Americans are playing important roles,” Franklin said.
“Every night, you will see and hear black speakers that represent both the Democratic Party and the nation.”
She said African Americans would also be playing “vital roles” in nightly town hall meetings in Denver.
Patrick said Triplett’s and other panels would be part of the convention’s mission “to engage and empower those who have driven this campaign.”
“Our task is figuring out how to continue building this grassroots movement.”
Triplett’s panel will address the notion of “young versus old” in politics, and she will share her experience at influencing public policy. It will take place at 1770 Sherman Street Event Complex at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 27.
Ken Franklin, the Missouri Democratic Party’s first African-American executive director, will arrive in Denver on Friday “and work to make sure things go smoothly.”
With hundreds of delegates, party officials and media members descending on Denver as part of the Missouri delegation, Franklin realizes he will be a busy man.
“But it’s a thrilling time. And I’m really already thinking ahead to next Thursday and just how special it is going to be.”
Clay agreed with that sentiment, saying, “I’m just so glad I had the good sense to get behind Obama early on so I can be a part of this historic convention and moment.”
“I was told (supporting Obama) would be political suicide, and it has worked out to the best it possibly could.”