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>> Good morning, everybody.
[0:09] » Good morning.
>> And welcome to the greatest city in
[0:13] America.
You can tell your mayor I already told
[0:17] them it's okay.
They all know we are so happy to have
[0:23] you here in Baltimore. I want to thank
our brother and entire team for Jack and
[0:27] Jill for your leadership and for
choosing Baltimore
[0:32] for this convention. And of course I
have to give a special shout out to the
[0:36] Baltimore chapter for all their work to
uplift our young people in Baltimore.
[0:44] In Baltimore, also known as Wakanda, we
are so proud
[0:50] to host an organization that embodies
the strength and leadership of black
[0:57] women, especially black mothers. I
always said that I would be nothing
[1:01] without black women, let alone the mayor
of Baltimore. But I think it's really
[1:06] important, especially in this moment,
when we live in a time when the federal
[1:11] government is targeting black people,
but black women specifically.
[1:16] Organizations like Jack and Jill now
more important than ever. This
[1:22] convention is an opportunity to uplift
your work as a collective, but it's also
[1:28] a chance for you to celebrate yourselves
as individuals, be thankful to the
[1:32] mentors and folks that have poured into
you and continue to pour into you,
[1:37] because we know how much that means to
us, not just as individuals, but for
[1:41] great organizations like this. We know
that Jack and Jill understands the
[1:47] importance of those relationships. You
know that in order to raise strong,
[1:53] successful young black people, you need
a dedicated mentor to support them both
[1:58] inside and outside of the home. Nothing,
and I do mean nothing, beats working,
[2:05] playing, and living together in the Jack
and Jill way, four generations of
[2:10] families have felt the benefits of your
work here in Baltimore and across the
[2:15] country. Nothing will ever dim that
impact, not even the largest attack on
[2:21] blackness since our reconstruction. And
I cannot wait to see what the future
[2:27] brings because with your beautiful black
children and mine leading the way, our
[2:32] future is very bright. And this is
something that I've been saying to our
[2:36] people very recently. And remember,
black people, our skin may be dark, but
[2:41] we ARE THE LIGHT.
>> [cheering]
[2:45] [applause]
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>> EVERYTHING RIGHT AND righteous about
[2:53] this world comes from us.
That's why they all fear because they
[2:59] know when you know your power, they
can't stand to walk into that power and
[3:03] to handle to being the light. That is
what the world needs. So again, welcome
[3:10] to Baltimore. Get all the seafood you
can get cuz it won't be
[3:14] as good when you go back home.
[3:18] Buy all the Old Bay you can to try to
make it taste like Old Bay.
[3:23] We love to have you here. Welcome. And I
will
[3:27] uh read this official uh citation from
me. Uh this is a mayoral salute for Jack
[3:33] and Jill of America in recognition of
your 47th National Convention and
[3:38] dedicated service to your community.
Under your theme, a single in purpose,
[3:42] charting the course, launching leaders,
this week dynamic convention will bring
[3:46] together families, community members,
and leaders to advance leadership
[3:50] development, children's rights, cultural
awareness, and financial literacy,
[3:54] recreation, and community engagement. On
behalf of the great people of Baltimore,
[3:59] I commend you on this special occasion
and offer best wishes for a memorable
[4:03] convention and continued positive
impact. Congratulations. Thank you.
[4:08] Please have a wonderful [applause]
convention.
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