The National Urban League's annual conference begins in Baltimore on Wednesday with a tribute to shooting victims and a keynote address about race and economic equity at New Shiloh Baptist Church, the site of Freddie Gray's funeral.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, running mate to the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, will address the delegates Thursday. Republican nominee Donald Trump and his campaign declined the invitation, the league said. Both Clinton and Trump were invited to address the convention.
Presidential candidates from the two major parties have typically attended the national event. League President Marc H. Morial said the winners of the past three presidential elections attended
"We represent an important constituency of literally millions of people across the country and have a powerful presence in every swing state," Morial said. "Smart candidates would find their way to the Urban League Conference."
Clinton attended last year in Florida, as did four other presidential candidates. Trump did not attend.
Morial said the conference is expected to draw 10,000 people, including 5,000 from outside the region. The economic impact on Baltimore — when factoring in projected spending on area attractions, hotels and restaurants — is projected to be $10 million.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said the Urban League, one of the country's oldest civil rights organizations, is known for its "commitment to economic empowerment and addressing social injustices in our society."
The conference will be a chance to identify ways American cities are more alike than different, she said, adding that she is eager to welcome the conference to Baltimore.
"This conference will give participants an opportunity to work closely with nationally recognized leadership on how to manage and solve the many disparities impacting urban communities throughout the country," Rawlings-Blake said in a statement. "My hope is that this week's conference will be the catalyst for transforming the contentious issues throughout the community."
Morial will deliver the conference's opening address at 7 p.m. Wednesday at New Shiloh in West Baltimore. The conference runs through Saturday, with most events scheduled to be held at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Kaine will speak during the 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. slot Thursday at the convention center. Afterward at 11 a.m. will be a career fair featuring more than 100 employers, a networking event and health screenings, among a host of workshops and sessions.
U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. is scheduled to speak at a 4 p.m. plenary session.
Events in the expo hall are free and open to the public. Most of the speakers and plenary sessions require registration.
A panel, "Save Our Cities: Criminal Justice Reform and Ending Mass Incarceration," set for 8 a.m. Friday is to feature NAACP President Cornell Williams Brooks, the Rev. Al Sharpton and William H. "Billy" Murphy, the Gray family attorney. Gray, 25, died in April 2015 after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in police custody. His death sparked rioting and looting in Baltimore in the hours after his funeral.
Gov. Larry Hogan is scheduled to attend a luncheon Friday. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and others are to join a 2:30 p.m. session titled "My Vote, My Impact: Reclaiming Our Rights."
Saturday features a back-to-school expo, at which thousands of children will receive backpacks and free haircuts.
Morial said the group decided to come to Baltimore after Gray's death. He said holding the event in Baltimore helps accomplish the league's mission by supporting and lifting cities and the people who live in them.
Ron Melton, interim president of Visit Baltimore, said the people the convention draws will be able to experience the "rich cultural history" of Baltimore neighborhoods. Likewise, he said, the convention's workshops and panels will leave an impact on those who attend.
"We are grateful," he said.
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