The US Consulate has invited American speaker Mr Hilary Shelton to Bermuda to participate in a series of event sleading up to Human Rights day on December 10th.

Mr Shelton, who is the Director of the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy, will participate in activities in partnership with Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB) and the Family Centre.

On December 6th, Mr Shelton will participate in a public forum by CURB on ‘Fulfilling our Commitments to Equal Opportunity and Equal Protections’, at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) to speak about the current social climate in both Bermuda and the United States.

He will discuss topics concerning racial discrimination and inclusion, violence, community outreach and education followed by a question and anser session with the audience. The event starts at 7pm and is open to the public.

In his current capacity with the NAACP – the oldest, largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization in the US – Mr Shelton advocates the organization’s federal public policy issues to the US Government. 

His extensive background in government affairs includes affirmative action, equal employment protection, access to quality education, stopping gun violence, ending racial profiling and preserving equal opportunity programs.

He has served as the Federal Liaison and Assistant Director to the Government Affairs Department of The College Fund – most commonly known as the United Negro Fund – where he worked with the US Congress, the White House and many government agencies to secure growth and improve educational programming throughout 40 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). He also advocated for over 8.5 million members of United Methodist Churches within as the Federal Policy Program Director of the General Board of Church and Society.

He has been instrumental in the passing of legislation focusing on civil and women’s rights, voting and gun law legislation and has received numerous awards for his outstanding service.

Hilary Shelton was invited through the US State Department’s Speaker Program which facilitates the travel of American experts to present lectures and conduct workshops for overseas audiences.

This program will highlight this year’s Human Rights Day, commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 proclaiming universal values and a common standard of achievement for all people and all nations.

For more information contact Camille Haley via email at haleycs@state.gov or call 278-7504.