Tavis Smiley's State Of The Black Union

My name is Nick Shields. I'm an assistant producer with Chicago Tonight and a new contributor to the politics blog.

I've traveled to Los Angeles this weekend to cover Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union. It's the event's 10^th anniversary and the second time that I've attended the symposium.

Each year, the symposium brings some of the most thoughtful minds in the nation together to discuss a myriad of issues primarily facing the African-American community.

Some of this year's panelists include: Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Rev. Al Sharpton, Princeton professor Cornel West, Los Angeles Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the newly minted Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

The event always has specific theme and this year's is no exception. This year's overarching theme is Making America As Good As Its Promise.

For the last decade the symposium has been free and open to the public.