BLACK HISTORY MONTH

ON FEBRUARY 5, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE RECOGNIZE:

MAXINE HOLLAND

Born in the unincorporated community of Cobham in northeastern Albemarle
County, Ms. Holland came of age during the era of segregation. She attended
the three-room Keswick Elementary School and later Rose Hill Elementary
School. In 1967, she graduated from Jackson P. Burley High School as part of the
last class of graduates before Albemarle County integrated schools. Through her
many roles, she engaged community members of all ages and contributed to a
diverse and vibrant African American community. Ms. Holland launched
numerous community initiatives in Cobham and nearby neighborhoods.
Among them were: tutoring, teaching dance and rhythmic activities to
preschoolers, conducting exercise classes for adults, organizing programs to
raise awareness of Sickle Cell Anemia, and celebrating Pan-African Day.

Her experiences in both segregated and integrated communities underscored
the crucial importance of linking teachers, parents, and community into a
triangle of advocacy to successfully educate a child. She honors Black teachers
and their educational strategies that developed generations of successful Black

men and women, despite segregation. She integrated Black history into all
subjects. She was more concerned with preparing students to function beyond
the classroom with a sense of character and self-sufficiency than training them
to get jobs and become consumers. Prior to leaving public education, she
founded and directed Men on A Mission, a club designed to help raise the level
of consciousness among young African American males. She later founded and
directed The Shule (shoe-lay) Society, a rite of passage for young Black women
intended to help them navigate the challenges of life while maintaining peace
and harmony in their lives. Around the same time, she organized and served as
Facilitator of the Family Council at The Cedars Nursing Home, which was a
support group for nursing home residents and their families. More recently, she
helped to organize the Veterans Committee of Central Virginia and serves as
Director. Their mission is to more fully contextualize and honor through
education and telling the untold true stories of the African American
participation in the United States Military- past and present.
In 2001, she helped Mrs. Tamyra Turner plan and organize Juneteenth
celebrations. Over the years, Ms. Maxine Holland has been adamant about
maintaining the historical significance and integrity of Juneteenth. Furthermore,
she believes that many of the problems that plague the Black community can be
countered by educators and leaders who have a clear sense of history, culture,
identity, group unity, and self-determination. She consistently encourages Black
people to study their history. Ms. Holland agrees with Carter G. Woodson’s,
Father of Black History, statement- “If a people had no recorded history, its
achievements would be forgotten or ignored and eventually claimed by others.”
Therefore, it is essential that you know your history and not allow it to be
destroyed. She continues, “If you destroy the history, you destroy the evidence.

Do not let that happen.”

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2026

“We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time.”

— John Lewis

“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

— Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Black Power simply means: Look at me, I’m here. I have dignity. I have pride. I have roots. I insist, I demand that I participate in those decisions that affect my life and the lives of my children. It means that I am somebody.”

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The idea for a Black History Month was first conceived by the historian Carter G. Woodson and members of his Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History). Together they organized a Negro History Week, beginning in February 1926. They selected the month of February for this celebration because it was close to the birthdays of U.S. Pres. Abraham Lincoln, who had been responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation, and the African American orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

 The month is dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and reflecting on the contributions, struggles, achievements, and resilience of Black individuals throughout history.

It highlights stories that were often ignored, overlooked, or erased, helping society gain a more complete and truthful understanding of the past. By acknowledging these narratives, Black History Month promotes awareness, education, and respect.

Beyond remembering history, Black History Month encourages conversations about equality, justice, and inclusion in the present. It reminds us that history shapes modern society and that understanding it is essential for progress.

Through education, celebration, and reflection, Black History Month empowers communities, strengthens identity, and fosters unity.

BLACK HISTORY – IN OUR COMMUNITY

ON FEBRUARY 2, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY,  WE RECOGNIZE:

                                                               DR. WES BELLAMY

Dr. Wes Bellamy combines education, activism, and leadership to uplift the Black community. A former Vice Mayor of Charlottesville, Va. Dr. Bellamy is recognized for advocating racial equity and social justice. As the youngest person elected to that role on the Charlottesville City Council, he helped lead efforts to remove Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson statues from the city’s public parks. Beyond politics, Dr. Bellamy is also the political science chair at Virginia State University, CEO of the Black College Invitational Championship, and a board member of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

 “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”
—Desmond Tutu

“LIFT EVERY VOICE”

ON FEBRUARY 3, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE RECOGNIZE:

  MR. ALEX ZAN

An Educator-Entertainer-Motivator who facilitates creative, interactive presentations for children, youth and adults. A resident of Charlottesville, VA, he was an early trailblazer, being one of 12 blacks (known as “The Charlottesville 12”) to desegregate Virginia Public Schools in Charlottesville in 1959.

Alex-Zan is an author, TV producer, columnist, and national in-demand speaker for schools, conferences, staff development workshops and churches around the country.

His passion for touching, moving and inspiring people has led two Virginia cities to proclaim “Alex-Zan Day!”  He is also a national and local humanitarian award winner. Through his creative imagination, Alex-Zan has secured over 100 plus copyrights, four trademarks, and developed several cartoon characters that have prompted people to call him the “Info-Trainer” and the “Performing Teacher”.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org 

Kuae Noel Kelch, kuae.kelch@omc.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the NAACP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) to collaborate and fulfill the mission of both organizations. The signing took place at the AAMA evening reception during the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Winter meeting. This partnership brings together a shared commitment to advancing civil rights, eliminating racial discrimination, and expanding civic, educational, and economic opportunities for Black communities across America.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief that collaboration is essential to building power, protecting civil rights, and strengthening communities,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “By working together, we are investing in policy solutions, leadership pipelines, and civic engagement strategies that create lasting change.”

The MOU outlines the following priorities for the NAACP and AAMA to advance collaboratively:

• To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens;

• To achieve equality of rights and eliminate racial prejudice among the citizens of the United States.

• To remove barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.

• To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights;

• To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination.

• To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful actions to secure their exercise.

• To educate persons about civic, economic, and educational programs that strengthen and build communities.

“AAMA is proud to join forces with the NAACP to continue the fight for civil rights, end racial discrimination and empower our citizens and elected officials, said AAMA President and Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II, also a life member of the NAACP. “AAMA mayors across the country are on the frontlines fighting for justice and finding ways to strengthen their communities. Our values have always been closely aligned, and our collective efforts are much needed, especially now.”

As part of this partnership, AAMA will align with the NAACP’s non-partisan policy advocacy priorities. This includes coordinated efforts designed to inform and engage member mayors and organizational leaders. The NAACP will collaborate with AAMA leaders and members to participate in issue-based discussions and support collective advocacy.

The MOU also emphasizes leadership development and membership engagement, creating pathways for the next generation of Black leaders. Key components include:

• Establishing introductions and pathways for young Black leaders to engage with and join municipal governments;

• Expanding access to scholarships and fellowship programs that support leadership development and civic engagement; and

• A membership commitment under which every member of AAMA will become a lifetime member of the NAACP.

“It’s imperative that we share information with each other and continue having important conversations about the issues that deeply impact our communities,” said AAMA CEO Phyllis Dickerson. “We also need to focus on our leaders of tomorrow, building a strong pipeline for them to develop leadership skills and remain active and engaged in civic life.”

The NAACP and AAMA are collectively energized and prepared to begin implementing the joint initiatives. There will be a direct focus on policy education, leadership development, and coordinated advocacy efforts that advance equity and justice nationwide.

Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, a procedural vote in the United States Senate that would have advanced government funding, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, failed to pass.

As lawmakers push ahead to separate DHS funding from other spending bills, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement:

“Grassroots organizers in Minneapolis and across the country, who have been standing up for months demanding an end to ICE’s terror campaign, showed all of us that democracy still prevails in America. Today, many of our representatives heard the will of the people they swore an oath to serve and represent. We applaud the Senators who listened to their conscience and believed what they saw with their own eyes: that ICE agents are unchecked and killing American citizens in cold blood. They are terrorizing our neighborhoods, and they must be stopped. No agency, no person, is above the law.

“To the millions of people who called and emailed their Senators and demanded change by putting their bodies on the line in tense environments, remember — this is your victory. This is how we win. This is our chance to build an America that works for the people, rather than being forced to live in an America that only serves the wealthy and oppresses the rest of us. This is our time, and we cannot slow down now.”

Earlier this week, the NAACP launched a national “DRY ICE” campaign urging U.S. Senators to block federal funding for ICE. In addition to demanding no additional federal funding for ICE in the current budget, the DRY ICE campaign will continue to advocate for accountability measures — including:

·      Prohibiting future ICE resources,

·      The immediate withdrawal of federal immunity protections for ICE agents

·      Removing Secretary Kristi Noem from office and demanding she be prosecuted

·      Mandating that ICE agents are to be unmasked

·      Ending federal and local law enforcement cooperation agreements that enable ICE operations

Ultimately, the NAACP is demanding that ICE be abolished and urges 2026 candidates to support and adopt this necessary policy.

For more information on the NAACP DRY ICE campaign and to take action, visit our website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2026
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

MINNEAPOLIS — Today, the NAACP announced the launch of its DRY ICE campaign — an urgent national effort calling on the United States Senate to reject any budget measure that extends additional federal funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the wake of the violence, chaos, and fear unleashed by a weaponized enforcement apparatus.

“The NAACP is demanding that the United States Senate stop any effort to extend additional federal funding to ICE,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “Our communities have been forced to endure harm, chaos, and fear at the hands of a weaponized agency that too often operates without transparency or accountability. Congress must not bankroll terror in the name of enforcement.”

The DRY ICE campaign launches with a clear, immediate objective: block ICE funding now. The campaign will mobilize supporters nationwide to contact their Senators ahead of the upcoming vote. The NAACP will activate our more than 2,200 units and branches, representing millions, to take immediate action. We will also join forces with other civil and human rights organizers, including No Kings and State of the People, to coordinate both in-person and digital rallies and protests across the nation.

In addition to demanding no additional federal funding for ICE in the current budget, the DRY ICE campaign will advocate for accountability measures — including prohibiting future ICE resources, federal immunity protections for ICE agents are withdrawn; Secretary Kristi Noem is removed from office; ICE agents are mandated to be unmasked; and federal and local law enforcement cooperation agreements that enable ICE operations are ended. We will also urge 2026 candidates to support and adopt these policies.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson will meet with congressional and Senate leaders to advocate for a block of funding for DHS.

The NAACP will continue to call out injustice wherever it arises and urges the Senate to vote against any budget that funds ICE. For more information on the NAACP DRY ICE campaign and to take action, visit our website.

MINNEAPOLIS – Former NAACP Minneapolis Chapter President, Nekima Levy Armstrong Esq., along with Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and U.S. Army veteran, William Kelly, were improperly arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Agents. Their arrests violated their constitutional rights and NAACP demands their immediate release.
  

Ms. Armstrong and her fellow demonstrators gathered peacefully at a church over the pastor’s alleged leadership within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protests follow the increase in ICE activity and the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.
  

In response to their unlawful arrests, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement:
  

“The NAACP demands the immediate release of Nekima Armstrong and her fellow protestors. The only reason the FBI and DHS arrested them is that they didn’t like what they had to say. 
 

“We live in a country where free speech and the ability to peacefully protest are fundamental rights. But once again, the President of the United States has weaponized federal agents against American citizens to be his personal enforcers. 
 

“We’re watching in real time as the Department of Justice, once responsible for upholding the law, is being twisted into the Department of Vengeance, attacking anyone who displeases the president. 
 

“ICE agents cover their faces, terrorize our neighbors, and attack anyone who gets in their way. This is straight out of the KKK’s playbook.
  

“Not stopping there, the White House shared an AI-edited photo of Nekima, depicting her in tears and scared when, in actuality, she was poised, determined, and unafraid.
  

“This Administration wants you to believe our community is afraid, but we will never be shaken. And we will never be broken.”   
 
NAACP General Counsel Janette McCarthy-Wallace added:  

“The arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly likely violated their First Amendment – their right to peaceful protest and free association, Fourth Amendment – their protection against illegal searches and seizures, and Fifth Amendment – their right to due process under the law. 
 

“The NAACP is not aware of any alleged federal crime they committed; neither the FBI nor DHS has issued a warrant for these arrests, and there have been no related indictments. Put simply, there has been no legal explanation for these arrests, further demonstrating this Administration’s ham-fisted attempts to oppress Americans.”    
 
The NAACP will continue to keep this Administration accountable and to fight for the rights due to every Black American. Visit naacp.org for more information.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 24, 2026  
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org  
 

WASHINGTON — The NAACP is outraged at the life taken this morning by yet another ICE agent who shot and killed an individual who was on their knees, surrounded by federal agents. This heinous act, alongside the public killing of Renée Nicole Good and the public execution of George Floyd, underscores a devastating reality: under this Administration, egregious acts of violence and negligence have continued to occur with far too little accountability, transparency, or urgency.

This moment calls for mourning. It calls for outrage. But above all, it calls for mobilization.

“We are watching a crisis of accountability and humanity unfold in real time,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “We need mobilization and action from every background, every race, every socioeconomic status, every political party, and every religion. If you believe in dignity, if you believe in justice, if you believe America must live up to its creed — then you cannot sit this one out. We must show up, speak up, and organize with urgency to demand accountability and protect our communities.”

The NAACP demands swift, transparent justice and accountability, including a full investigation and public disclosure of all facts — footage, operational directives, and the chain of command that led to this deadly outcome. We also demand immediate accountability from the highest levels of government. Kristi Noem must be removed immediately. Leadership that presides over negligence, tolerates brutality, or fuels a climate where human life is treated as disposable has no place in a government that claims to serve the people.

To every community across this nation: this is the moment to stand together — not divided by fear, not distracted by politics, and not resigned to the normalization of violence. We must unify under one call — undivided, unafraid, and unwavering — in demanding that this nation finally live up to its creed.

Press release from the Southern Environmental Law Center, Young, Gifted & Green, and NAACP

For immediate release: January 15, 2026

Contacts

SELC: Eric Hilt, 615-622-1199 or ehilt@selc.org

NAACP: Dominic Hawkins, communications@naacpnet.org

Young, Gifted & Green: LaTricea Adams, president@younggiftedgreen.org

WASHINGTON D.C. — This week, the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced that methane gas turbines, even temporary ones that will operate for less than a year, require construction permits and air permits.

The announcement came as the agency revised its New Source Performance Standard, which regulates air pollution from gas turbines. The revised rule confirms what local Memphis community groups have been saying for months: that temporary methane gas turbines like the ones xAI is using to power its South Memphis data centers are subject to NSPS and require air permits.

In fact, EPA emphasizes that methane gas turbines have never been exempt from the regulations, writing: “Historically, however, the EPA has not regulated combustion turbines, even those that may be portable, as nonroad engines, but rather as stationary sources.” The statement is a clear rebuke of arguments from local leaders that turbines at the xAI site qualified for a so-called “nonroad engine loophole.”

In response to this announcement, the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Young, Gifted & Green and the NAACP, sent a letter to the Memphis and Shelby County Air Pollution Control Board, alerting the board to the EPA revision and urging them to ensure the Shelby County Health Department changes its policies on unpermitted gas turbines to be in line with federal regulations.

Below are statements from the Southern Environmental Law Center, Young Gifted & Green, and NAACP in response to the announcement:

“EPA’s gas turbine decision makes it clear that companies are not — and have never been — allowed to build and operate methane gas turbines without a permit and that there is no loophole that would allow corporations to set up unpermitted power plants. We expect local health leaders to take swift action to ensure they are following federal law and to better protect neighbors from harmful air pollution,” SELC Senior Attorney Amanda Garcia said.

“Memphians have been yelling from the top of our polluted lungs that allowing methane turbines to operate for almost a year with no permit is not only inhumane, but illegal. The Shelby County Health Department should at least do the bare minimum,which is following the law. If it refuses, the Air Pollution Control Board needs to hold the Shelby County Health Department accountable,” LaTricea Adams, CEO and President of Young, Gifted & Green, said. “As a daughter of South Memphis that lost my father way too soon living in a polluted community, I demand that the Air Pollution Control Board reconvene another public meeting immediately to best address this critical issue.”

“Our communities, air, water, and land are not playgrounds for billionaires chasing another buck,” said Abre’ Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice. “We’ve seen enough from Elon Musk and other elites who act as if they are above the law in certain cases, and here, they add to pollution that impacts our livelihoods. We will not let them in SouthMemphis or anywhere else. The NAACP has a long history of fighting environmental injustice, and in an era of booming data centers and skyrocketing greenhouse gas emissions, our work will only grow more urgent. This is our only home, and we have only one body. If you think our health is something we’ll compromise, you’re mistaken.”

January 15, 2026 
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org 

Ahead of the 40th MLK Dr. Day, Leaders Convene at one-year mark of Trump Administration’s increasingly authoritarian posture and destabilizing economy 

WASHINGTON — The NAACP has joined UnidosUS and other faith, civil rights, and advocacy organizations in urging Congress to take immediate action to check and hold accountable Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid a growing pattern of violence, racial profiling, and constitutional violations.

The letter follows the killing of U.S. citizens Keith Porter Jr. and Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents, and the 32 people who died in ICE custody. These documented incidents of abuse by ICE agents raise urgent questions about unchecked use of force, lack of transparency, and the erosion of due process in immigration enforcement.

During a press conference organized by UnidosUS today, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson condemned the ongoing abuses and called for congressional action:

“America can never be truly great if it only belongs to one race or one community. Our democracy is undergoing a stress test, and instead of learning from history, we are repeating it through racial hatred and the targeting of people who are treated as ‘other.’ 

“When individuals are pulled aside, questioned, or detained simply because they speak a different language or don’t look like those in power, that is racial profiling, and it is a direct violation of our Constitution. 

“We have no kings in this country — no one is above the law, and due process and equal protection must apply to every person who sets foot on this land. If Black, Latino, Asian American, and all our communities do not stand together now, we risk losing the very idea of America. 

“That is why we are calling on Congress and the federal courts to do their jobs and uphold the Constitution so that equal justice under law is a lived reality for everyone.”

The coalition’s letter warns Congress against granting DHS a “blank check” in FY2026 appropriations, citing record-high deaths in custody, wrongful detention of U.S. citizens, lack of transparency, expansion of dragnet surveillance, and the misuse of military resources in civilian immigration enforcement.

In the joint letter, 74 national, state, and local organizations call on Congress to enact enforceable guardrails that protect constitutional rights, including prohibiting warrantless arrests, banning masked federal agents, restoring due process protections, restricting surveillance abuses, ensuring accountability for deaths and wrongful detentions, and ending the use of military forces in immigration enforcement.

January 16, 2026  
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education has paused its plans to resume Administrative Wage Garnishment for federal student loan borrowers in default, a move that would have allowed the government to seize up to 15 percent of a borrower’s paycheck starting this month. 
 

This pause comes after sustained advocacy from the NAACP, National Education Association, Protect Borrowers, AFT, Debt Collective, Young Invincibles, and Student Debt Crisis center who fought on behalf of borrowers and warned that restarting wage garnishment would deepen economic hardship for millions of working families — particularly Black borrowers — already struggling in an unstable economy. 
 

“Garnishing wages in the middle of an economy broken by reckless leadership would have punished working people for circumstances beyond their control,” said Wisdom Cole, Senior Advocacy Director at the NAACP. “Pausing this policy gives borrowers some breathing room and a real chance to get back on track. This is a critical step toward fairness and stability for borrowers who have been pushed to the brink, all because they wanted an education.”  
 

Under the revised approach, borrowers in default will have the opportunity to enroll in a standard repayment plan or a new income-driven repayment option that waives unpaid interest based on income. The policy also gives borrowers a pathway to rehabilitate their loans and regain good standing without losing wages needed for rent, food, and basic necessities. 

Black borrowers are disproportionately likely to experience default due to racial wealth gaps, predatory lending practices, and higher student debt burdens. Restarting wage garnishment without meaningful relief would have compounded these inequities while doing little to address the root causes of default. 
 

“This decision proves that advocacy works,” Cole added. “But it must be followed by long-term solutions that prioritize borrowers over bureaucracy, people over profits and ensure student loan policies promote opportunity, not punishment.” 
 

The NAACP will continue pressing for comprehensive student debt reform that protects borrowers, advances racial equity, and prevents future harm caused by aggressive and punitive collection practices.