Updated: Florida Democrats Leadership Blue Agenda and RSVP

Updated: Florida Democrats Leadership Blue Agenda and RSVP
 Former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Bill Nelson, DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake and Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson headline Leadership Blue Weekend
 

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

             3555 S Ocean Drive

             Hollywood, FL 33019

When: Saturday, June 17


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
 
                 ###​
 

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.