Rev. Al Sharpton’s annual National Action Network convention at the Sheraton in NYC on Thursday celebrated a lineup of women power players.
Sharpton honored Mika Brzezinski, Stacey Abrams, Lisa Price, Michelle Stoddart and Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter at NAN’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, emceed by journalist and TV host Mara S. Campo.
Singer Alicia Keys was the luncheon’s surprise honoree.
Sharpton described the singer who has also become a Broadway producer as, “a young lady who appeals to all of our women and men.” The civil rights activist then quipped that he advised her not to say anything controversial after she asked if she should speak.
“We’ll keep it clean,” Keys shot back.
“I’m so grateful to be surrounded by powerful women… One of the secrets of the sauce is making sure that powerful women are uplifted and that we are at the table,” the singer added.
Brzezinski was honored at the top of the luncheon, and one impressed attendee marveled at how women have responded to the MSNBC host’s books, including “Knowing Your Value: Women, Money, and Getting What You’re Worth.”
Her co-anchor and husband, Joe Scarborough, who had a fireside chat with Sharpton before the luncheon, supported her and took photos with guests in the ballroom.
Sharpton also honored “The View” host Whoopi Goldberg the previous night with NAN’s Keepers of the Dream award, where she remembered Martin Luther King Jr.
“If we’re not all fighting to make it better for all of us, none of it is going to work,” she said.
Goldberg thanked Sharpton — and everyone in the room — joking that, “While I may have annoyed you, you never left me.”
Sharpton’s NAN convention celebrated 33 years of “fighting for justice,” Sharpton said.
