The Democratic National Committee announced new speakers for next month's convention and a new headliner for the entertainment preceding President Obama's nomination speech.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker will be one of the featured speakers presenting the platform on Tuesday, September 4th, joined by Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy (ret.), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), the DNC announced today.

Other speakers added to the agenda are Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, CarMax co-founder and former CEO Austin Ligon, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal, and Los Angeles Mayor and Democratic Convention Chair Antonio Villaraigosa.

The other announcement today was the lineup for the festivities at Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, September 6, with North Carolina icon James Taylor headlining an evening of local talent that will perform for the delegates, convention guests, and the tens of thousands of Americans who signed up for "community credentials" to attend President Obama and Vice President Biden's acceptance speeches.

In a release, Taylor said, "I'm all fired up to take the stage at the Democratic Convention for President Obama right here in North Carolina. I think it's so important that he have a second term to keep this country moving forward." Taylor is a five-time Grammy winner known for "Carolina in my Mind" – the iconic song that many from North Carolina consider to be the state's unofficial anthem.

"Highlighting such amazing talent from North Carolina as part of the entertainment at the convention's closing event is just one way that convention organizers are working to bring the flavor of North Carolina to all Americans," said DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan. "Whether you're one of the tens of thousands who received community credentials to attend this historic event in person, or tuning in remotely, you will have a taste of the wonderful region that is home to this year's convention."

Editorial note: Written from press releases.