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DNC 2015 Winter Meeting  ...next >
Photo of Mayor Michael Nutter and Desiree Peterkin Bell at the DNC 2015 Winter Meeting.
Feb. 21, 2015 - Mayor Michael Nutter and his communications and strategy director Desiree Peterkin Bell at the Black History Month breakfast.
LGBT Caucus
After all the caucus meetings yesterday, there was one more.  Attendees of the LGBT Caucus meeting were pleased to learn that the DNC is in the process of hiring a LGBT desk staffer.  Much of the discussion focused on the upcoming 2016 convention in Philadelphia, which DNC CEO Amy Dacey noted is just 16 months away.  Chief diversity officer Greg Hinton said the city's commitment to diversity had played a significant role in its selection.  In terms of contracts, he said that "supplier diversity is a well-oiled machine" there.  [There will be nine or ten major contracts for the convention covering such areas as transportation, construction, production and so forth, and myriad subcontracts].  Attention also turned to ensuring a good representation of LGBT delegates and alternates at the convention; although there are rigorous affirmative action rules, a lot of work is required to see that goals are met.  At the 2012 convention in Charlotte there were about 400 delegates and alternates.  The suggestion was made to try to increase the number to 500 for 2016, but DNC member Rick Stafford pointed out that there will be fewer total delegates at this convention.  Additionally the National Stonewall Democrats organization, which had played a significant role in slating delegates, suspended operations at the beginning of 2013, meaning that active participation of members of the Caucus will be needed.
DNC Director of Community Engagement Regena Thomas addresses the Caucus.
DNC Chief Diversity Officer Greg Hinton.
DNC CEO Amy Dacey.
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