New Orleans hosting black world event

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- New Orleans was picked to host the State of the Black World Conference due to its struggles in the wake of destructive hurricanes, an event official says.

Scholar-activist Ron Daniels said the five-day event coordinated by his Institute of the Black World 21st Century will hopefully help reinvigorate New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina and Rita, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune said Wednesday.

"We deliberately came to New Orleans because it's a city in need of recovery and one that was neglected by the prior administration," Daniels said.

The event is taking place at the Astor Crowne Plaza and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Wednesday until Sunday.

Among the notable names from the black community scheduled to make appearances at the event are former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, Hollywood actor Danny Glover and civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The Times-Picayune said the event features a Town Hall Meeting and an awards ceremony at which several prominent conference participants will be honored.