Democratic Hopefuls Court Activists at Sharpton Conference

Potential 2028 candidates seek support from Black community leaders in New York

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:23am

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A solitary figure of a politician stands alone on a dimly lit city street corner, the warm glow of sunlight casting long shadows across the pavement, creating a contemplative, cinematic mood.Potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates court support from African American activists at a pivotal conference in New York City.NYC Today

The Democratic Party's most prominent politicians are gathering in New York this week to appeal to African American activists at the annual conference led by Rev. Al Sharpton. The event is seen as an early step in the party's unofficial 2028 presidential nomination contest, with figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro warning that 'everyone is less safe' due to the rise in bigotry under the Trump administration.

Why it matters

The conference provides a high-profile platform for potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates to connect with a crucial voting bloc - African American activists and community leaders. Strong support from this group could be pivotal in securing the party's nomination.

The details

At the National Action Network (NAN) Convention, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania criticized former President Trump's leadership, blaming him for a nationwide surge in antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and other forms of bigotry. The event marks an early step in the unofficial 2028 Democratic presidential nomination contest, as the party's most ambitious politicians vie for support from this influential group of activists.

  • The conference is taking place this week in New York City.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The Governor of Pennsylvania who spoke at the conference, warning of rising bigotry under the Trump administration.

Rev. Al Sharpton

The civil rights activist who is hosting the annual National Action Network (NAN) Convention in New York.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone is less safe because of Donald Trump's leadership.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

The takeaway

The gathering of prominent Democrats at Sharpton's conference underscores the importance of the African American vote in the party's 2028 presidential primary. Candidates will be closely watched for their ability to energize and mobilize this crucial voting bloc.