The National Emigration Convention held on August 24, 1854, in Cleveland, was an important gathering of African American leaders and activists who debated the future of Black emigration from the United States. With approximately one hundred delegates in attendance, the convention sought solutions to racial discrimination, disenfranchisement, and limited economic opportunities in the U.S.
William C. Munroe of Michigan, a strong advocate for Black self-determination and emigration, was elected president of the convention. The meeting reflected the growing interest among African Americans in seeking opportunities abroad, particularly in Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa, as alternatives to systemic oppression in the United States.
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