Press Statement October 8, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 8,2025

Leon W. Russell, Chairman, NAACP National Board of Directors, has announced that the NAACP is now soliciting nominations for the 111th SPINGARN MEDAL AWARD. All nominations for the 111th Spingarn Medal Award must be submitted, in writing, on or before December 31, 2025. To be accepted, the postmark date on the envelope must be no later than December 31, 2025. The email must be received by December 31, 2025. 

The Medal, which was instituted in 1914 by the late J. E. Spingarn, then NAACP Chairman, is awarded for “the highest or noblest achievement by a living American Negro during the preceding years.” 

The purpose of the Medal is twofold – first, to call attention of the American people to the existence of distinguished merit and achievement among Americans of African descent; and secondly – to serve as a reward for such achievement and as a stimulus to the ambition of youth of African descent. To date, 110 Spingarn Medals have been awarded to living Americans of African descent for the highest achievement during the preceding year or years, in any honorable field of endeavor. 

Medalists include: Vice President Kamala Harris; John Lewis; Myrlie Evers-Williams; Maya Angelou; Harry Belafonte; Julian Bond; The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr.; The Honorable Robert L. Carter; The Honorable James E. Clyburn; The Honorable John Conyers; Misty Copeland; Ruby Dee; Hazel N. Dukes; John Hope Franklin; Frankie Muse Freeman; Earl G. Graves, Sr.; Patrick Gaspard; Dorothy I. Height; The Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham; The Honorable Oliver W. Hill, Sr.; Lena Horne; Rev. Jesse Jackson; Dr. Cato Laurencin; The Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones; Quincy Jones; Vernon Jordan; The Honorable Constance Baker Motley; Jessye Norman; Gordon Parks; Sidney Poitier; The Honorable Colin Powell; Percy E. Sutton; Cicely Tyson; Carl Rowan; The Honorable L. Douglas Wilder; Hazel N. Dukes; Henry Louis Gates and Oprah Winfrey. 

Nominations must include a detailed, current biographical profile of the nominee, highlighting relevant activities and achievements. Supporting and verifying documents such as news clippings, honors received, etc., should also be attached. This information should be clearly typewritten or printed, as it must be reproduced. 

The final selection of the Medalist is made by a Committee of Award, which is selected by the Association’s Board of Directors. The Committee’s decision is final in all matters affecting the Award. 

Nominations should be addressed to: The Spingarn Medal Award Committee, Attention: Mrs. Mildred B. Roxborough, NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215, and India Artis, iartis@naacpnet.org and must be postmarked OR emailed by December 31, 2025. 

THE SPINGARN MEDAL

Awarded annually for the highest achievement of an American of African descent.

THE SPINGARN MEDAL was instituted in 1914 by the late J. E. Spingarn (then Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), who gave annually until his death in 1939, a gold medal to be awarded for the highest or noblest achievement by a living man or woman American Negro during the preceding year or years. A fund sufficient to continue the award was set up by his will “to perpetuate the lifelong interest of my brother, Arthur B. Spingarn, of my wife, Amy E. Spingarn, and of myself in the achievement of the American Negro.” 

PURPOSE

The purpose of the medal is twofold – first to call the attention of the American people to the existence of distinguished merit and achievement among Americans of African descent, and secondly, to serve as a reward for such achievement, and as a stimulus to the ambition of colored youth. 

CONDITIONS

The medal is presented annually to the man or woman of African descent and American citizenship, who shall have made the highest achievement during the preceding year or years in any honorable field of human endeavor. The Committee of Award is bound by no burdensome restrictions but may decide for itself each year what particular act or achievement deserves the highest acclaim; the choice is not limited to any one field, whether of intellectual, spiritual, physical, scientific, artistic, commercial, educational or other endeavor. It is intended primarily that the medal shall be for the highest achievement in the preceding year, but if no achievement in any one year seems to merit it, the Committee may award it for work achieved in preceding years or may withhold it. The medal is usually presented to the winner at the Annual Convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the presentation speech is delivered by a distinguished citizen. 

A nine-person Committee of Award is selected by the NAACP Board of Directors. The Committee’s decision is final in all matters affecting the award. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AWARD

Recommendations should be submitted, in writing, to the Secretary of the Committee of Award, at the National Office, by December 31st of each year. Such communications should state in detail the achievements of the person recommended. Nominations should be addressed to: The Spingarn Medal Award Committee, Attention: Mrs. Mildred B. Roxborough, NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215, and India Artis, iartis@naacpnet.org and must be postmarked/emailed by December 31, 2025.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3rd, 2025
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON — The NAACP unequivocally condemns the recent egregious attack carried out by ICE in Chicago, where Black and Brown community members were violently detained in the middle of the night without cause. Let us be clear: this was never about immigration — this was about intimidation.

The actions taken are yet another attempt by this administration to numb our nation into accepting the inhumane treatment of Black and Brown people. These calculated displays of force are meant to instill fear, silence communities, and strip away the dignity of our people. But let us be absolutely clear — we are not deterred, we are not backing down, and we are not scared in the least.

“As a father, I cannot help but think about what it means for a child to be torn from their bed in the middle of the night, detained for no reason other than a show of force. The trauma inflicted on these young people and their families is unconscionable,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO. “We are angry, but we are not deterred. We will not let this nation grow numb to such cruelty, and we will stand with our community.”

For over a century, the NAACP has rallied in defense of our communities. We have stood together against systemic oppression, brutality, and intimidation — and we will continue to do so. We will rally, we will resist, and we will support those impacted by this most recent attack, as we always have.

To those who believe in civility, human rights, and human decency: now is the time to stand with us. Do not allow our nation to be desensitized to injustice. Stand with the families harmed in Chicago. Stand with every Black and Brown person who has been targeted simply for existing. Stand with the NAACP as we continue the fight for dignity, equality, and justice for all.

We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. And we will never stop fighting for our community.

The NAACP has issued the following statement advocating for affordable healthcare to be protected in the Continuing Resolution (CR) government funding package:

“America is only as healthy as its people,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “Nearly 24 million people rely on individual insurance purchased with the help of the Affordable Care Act’s Tax Credit, but Senators are now considering an extreme bill that would not renew funding for those tax credits — resulting in nearly 4 million people losing their healthcare coverage. And it would cause over 20 million people to see their premiums increase by an average of 75-100%. Trump’s threat to affordable health coverage is immediate and severe. If healthcare coverage is not protected, the Senate must vote NO on Trump’s funding bill.”

By not extending the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Tax Credits in the CR, the costs for people who purchase their health insurance through the ACA marketplace would skyrocket. When millions of Americans can’t afford health insurance, they’ll have less support when sick, hurting us all. 

The Affordable Care Act’s Tax Credits are, in part, paid for by tax dollars from the American people. This is public funding and should go towards benefiting the public. This isn’t a Black issue or a white issue. This is an American issue, and real American lives are at stake.

The NAACP is urging Americans nationwide to contact their Senators and urge them to protect healthcare coverage. For more information on NAACP’s ‘No Healthcare, No Vote’ campaign, visit naacp.org.

The NAACP awarded history-making leader and steadfast champion for democracy, Vice President Kamala D. Harris, the 2025 Spingarn medal – the Association’s highest honor. The Spingarn Award dinner took place in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, September 30. The Medal was presented to Vice President Harris by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Leon W. Russell during the dinner.

“It is a true privilege to recognize Vice President Kamala Harris as this year’s Spingarn Medal recipient,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “Her trailblazing leadership and unwavering commitment to justice embody the very essence of this honor. As the first woman and the first Black American to serve as Vice President, her legacy of breaking barriers and championing equity will inspire generations to come.”

The NAACP Spingarn Medal honors the highest achievement by a living African American in any honorable field. Kamala D. Harris, who served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025, began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before being elected District Attorney of San Francisco and later Attorney General of California. Throughout her trailblazing career, she has defended the Affordable Care Act, championed marriage equality, advanced civil, immigrant, and voting rights, and strengthened global alliances — among a multitude of defining achievements. 

“I am deeply honored to receive the Spingarn Medal — an award whose legacy reflects the brilliance, sacrifice, and determination of generations who paved the way for progress,” said Kamala D. Harris, 49th Vice President of the United States. “To be counted among its recipients is profoundly inspiring. That it comes from the NAACP, one of our nation’s oldest and greatest champions of freedom and equality, makes this honor all the more meaningful.”

Vice President Kamala Harris now joins the distinguished list of previous Spingarn medal recipients, including remarkable figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and W.E.B. Du Bois. The NAACP honors her steadfast and unwavering dedication to the progress of Black America. In the proud tradition of the Spingarn Medal, we recognize her extraordinary contributions to justice, equity, and public service. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
August 27, 2025 
Contact: communications@naacpnet.org 
 

WASHINGTON – The NAACP, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and a coalition of civic and policy organizations released a joint letter condemning President Trump’s attempt to dismiss and demean Federal Reserve Board Governor Dr. Lisa D. Cook. 

The groups call on policymakers, civic leaders, and the public to reject this dangerous attempt to threaten the independence of the Federal Reserve and to stand against blatant discriminatory and unwarranted attacks on Black people who are in positions of leadership.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement: 

“Trump is obsessed with using race to conceal his failures. First, he questioned Barack Obama’s citizenship. Next, he demeaned public officials like Rep. Maxine Waters, Vice President Kamala Harris, and AG Letitia James, who governed effectively and exposed his corruption. 

“Now, he wants to fire Dr. Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve simply because she is a brilliant Black woman shaping economic policy at the highest level and revealing the faults in his failed economic strategy. Let’s be real: this is not about qualifications. Dr. Cook’s credentials outshine Trump’s entire cabinet. 

“This president simply cannot stomach Black excellence when it reveals his failures, particularly those in positions of power. In reality, this is about bending the Federal Reserve to Trump’s will, and he’s using racism as a tool to do it.”

Civic and policy organizations that have signed on to the letter also include:

• Institute for Women’s Policy Research
• Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
• National Action Network
• National Coalition on Black Civic Participation/Black Women’s Roundtable
• National Council of Negro Women
• National Fair Housing Alliance
• National Urban League

For more information on how the NAACP is fighting to advance Black America, visit naacp.org. 

September 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Democracy Summit

IBEW Local 666 1400 East Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs, Virginia

2025 is a critical election year! The Governor, Lt. Governor and the Attorney General are on the ballot. All 100 House of Delegates seats are on the ballot. Town Councils, Mayoral, Board of Supervisors, and School Boards are on the ballot. The result of this election will shape the future of the Commonwealth. Educating voters

90th Annual Convention

Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future

The NAACP Virginia State Conference will convene for its 90th Annual State Convention at the Marriott Downtown in Richmond, Virginia, from Friday, October 24, 2025 to Sunday, October 26, 2025. The NAACP Virginia State Conference is the Commonwealth’s largest civil rights advocacy organization. We comprise 100 branches, youth councils, and college chapters, with a membership of over 12,000.

In our 90 years, we have been instrumental in eliminating segregation in public schools, fighting against racial practices in our justice system, and ending wrongful denials in voter registration. Today, the NAACP Virginia State Conference protects historical integrity and justice in education through legislative advocacy and litigation, preserving diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, fighting for Voting Rights and expanded access, and the automatic restoration of voting rights.

90th Anniversary Commemorative Box

The NAACP Virginia State Conference is pleased to announce the 90th Annual Convention Commemorative Box! This box features unique items specially curated for our members. Each box will include a unisex t-shirt, an umbrella, a pin, a baseball cap, and a padfolio for $125.  Box orders can be placed based on T-shirt size (S – XXXL).

Pre-Orders will end on August 8th. Payments for pre-orders must be received by 5 pm August 15th by credit card, debit card, or check. If sending a check, please make your check payable to the Virginia State Conference and mailed to the following:
NAACP Virginia State Conference
PO Box 27212
Richmond, Virginia 23261

All boxes will be available to be picked up during the Annual Convention October 24 – 26 2026.

The 90th Annual Convention Commemorative Box is a fundraiser for the NAACP Virginia State Conference. All proceeds will directly support local and state advocacy. There will be no refunds.

This year, we have crafted convention partnership packages and are introducing exclusive sponsor packages for our Freedom Fund Gala: A Black Tie Affair. We have included a detailed partnership package outlining the different levels and corresponding benefits. We are delighted at the possibility of collaborating on a sponsorship with your corporation arrangement tailored to meet your business objectives.

If you are interested in Partnership Opportunities, download the Partnership Invitation or contact Karen E. Jones, Director of Administration, at kjones@naacpva.org or (804) 269-4335.