Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org 

WASHINGTON —  The NAACP condemns the Trump Administration’s decision to strip Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the National Park Service’s annual free-entry days, replacing them with Flag Day, which also coincides with President Trump’s birthday.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO, shared the following response:

“We’re still waiting on Trump to bring the cost of groceries and housing down, to make life affordable. Wasn’t that the plan for day one?

“Trump is doing what he usually does — he seeks to distract and divide us by undermining progress attributed to the Black community. By doing this, he’s hoping we’ll forget about his failures on the economy. But we’re not buying it.

“Removing MLK Day and Juneteenth from the national parks calendar is more than petty politics — it’s an attack on the truth of this nation’s history. It’s an attempt to erase the legacy of Dr. King, minimize the story of emancipation, and sideline the communities that have fought for generations to make America live up to its promise. We will not stand by while this Administration tries to turn public spaces into instruments of division.”

This action follows repeated efforts by the Trump Administration to suppress the teaching of Black history in schools and reverse long-standing civil rights protections. By eliminating the only free park days tied to Black history, the Administration is attempting to diminish the visibility of holidays honoring Black resilience – key moments of our nation’s shared history – and turning public spaces into political tools.

The Association will continue to call out attempts to weaponize federal agencies against the Black community and will challenge any efforts by the Trump Administration that undermine racial equity, attack diversity, or distort the truth of Black history in America.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
December 12, 2025 
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org   

WASHINGTON – In response to the White House’s Executive Order released December 11th, “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for the Artificial Intelligence,” Climate Justice Alliance Legislative Director Mar Zepeda and NAACP Director of the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice Abre’ Conner issued the following joint statement:

“Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) and the NAACP strongly condemn the Trump Administration’s Executive Order, ‘Ensuring a National Policy Framework for the Artificial Intelligence, ‘ which seeks to block states from regulating the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by weaponizing federal agencies against them. 

“This blatant example of federal overreach and disregard for the 10th Amendment makes clear that the Administration intends to force through unregulated AI development — fueled by data-center bailouts and carve-outs from state permitting laws — without regard for the safety, public health, or well-being of hard-working families. This Administration and its billionaire backers want to roll out AI infrastructure as quickly as possible with complete disregard for our people and our planet. This is a power grab that hands Big Tech billionaires the reins after cashing in on years of campaign contributions.

“Instead of protecting communities and our environment from the well-documented dangers of an unregulated AI industry, the Executive Order opens the door for private industry to dictate governance and forces states to surrender their duty to protect residents.At a time when permitting laws are already facing constant deregulation attacks at the federal level, we cannot further clear the way for:

• States being punished for doing their job to protect our environment and vulnerable communities;
• Data centers being built in already over-polluted neighborhoods with little to no public input;
• The erosion of the few remaining air-quality protections that safeguard Black, Brown, low-income, and Tribal communities.

“Unregulated AI development will drive a surge in  data center construction, which will have massive energy, water, and land demands whose impacts will inevitably fall hardest on predominantly Black, Brown, low-income, and Indigenous communities. These same communities rarely reap any benefits of AI due to the digital divide, are more at risk of job displacement, and face disproportionate exposure to hyperscale data center pollution. Yet, across the country, secrecy and backroom deals have already sidelined meaningful community participation. Using the Constitution as a weapon to exclude the informed voices of residents is a giant leap backwards. 

“And when the speculative AI bubble bursts, as bubbles do, it will once again be Black and Brown communities left with the stranded, toxic, and costly infrastructure Big Tech abandons.

“In the face of this blatant and unconstitutional federal overreach, we call on state attorneys general to organize, strengthen environmental and climate justice protections and systems, defend states’ rights to regulate AI, and protect their constituents from the dangers of unrestrained AI-driven data center development.

“CJA and the NAACP remain committed to fighting undemocratic and dangerous attempts to deregulate AI, block state’s power, and expand AI implementation that perpetuates harm, inequity, and injustice — especially in overpolluted and most impacted communities.”

Context: In late August this year, CJA joined the NAACP in a two-day convening in Memphis, TN where we collaborated on a set of principles informed by other frontline leaders that lists out our demands and solutions to the buildout of data centers. See those HERE. CJA also joined NAACP for a two-day summit to confront the rapid expansion of AI data centers and their disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, and low-income communities in December.

NAACP Calls for Equity-First Approach to AI in Healthcare, Issues Governance Framework to Build Healthier Futures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
December 11, 2025 
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org   

WASHINGTON — The NAACP, in collaboration with Sanofi through the ACE Your Health Initiative, calls for an equity-first, human-centered approach to developing and deploying AI (artificial intelligence) in healthcare. In the new white paper, Building a Healthier Future: Equity-First AI in Healthcare, the Association outlines a bold framework to ensure AI use in healthcare strengthens, rather than undermines, equity in the healthcare system. 

As AI rapidly transforms healthcare delivery, diagnostics, and treatment models, the report warns that without intentional design and governance, these technologies could automate and exacerbate longstanding socioeconomic and racial disparities. The white paper underscores the need for urgent action to embed fairness, transparency, and community engagement across every stage of Health AI development, from data collection to deployment and oversight. 

“As a physician, I’ve seen what happens when systems are built without the people they are meant to serve,” said Dr. Chris Pernell, Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. “AI can transform patient care, but only if it reflects the real lives and experiences of our communities. When Black, Brown, and underserved patients are missing from the data, they are missing from the solutions. Health AI must be built with dignity, transparency, and centered on the communities it’s meant to benefit.” 

AI holds tremendous promise to improve patient outcomes, predict disease onset, personalize treatment, and expand care access to rural and under-resourced populations. Yet the report highlights that current adoption is uneven, with safety-net providers lacking the resources, training, and infrastructure to implement AI responsibly — creating what experts describe as a dangerous “AI divide.” Biased datasets and underrepresentation of marginalized communities further increase risks of misdiagnosis and poor health outcomes. 

“By leveraging AI, scientists and healthcare providers can accelerate the discovery of new treatment options by revealing patterns in data that humans alone cannot see,” said Crispin Woolston, PhD, Global Head of Science Policy at Sanofi.“At Sanofi, we believe this technology must be harnessed responsibly and paired with rigorous science, transparent governance, and broad community partnership so that innovations benefit all patients equitably and translate into real-world health improvements.” 

The white paper outlines a comprehensive three-layer governance model designed to move beyond compliance and embed equity into the foundation of AI systems: 
 

• Ethical & Normative: Transparency, explainability, public reporting, and accountability 

• Organizational: Equity impact assessments, data governance councils, and community representation 

• Operational: Inclusive data practices, fairness metrics, and continuous post-deployment audits 

“Even as AI promises to deliver more personalized and predictive healthcare, the perils — both known and unknown — require attention to ethics, safety, and equity,” said S. Craig Watkins, PhD, ACE Your Health AI Taskforce Chair. “The ACE Your Health initiative is poised to leverage the wide range of voices — clinical, community, and industry — necessary to build an AI governance framework that is actionable, impactful, and inspired from the ground up.” 

The NAACP and Sanofi emphasize that community partnership and AI literacy are essential to building trust and accountability. With the white paper as a primer, NAACP will meet with policymakers, healthcare systems, technologists, and industry leaders to adopt an equity-first framework that centers Black, Brown, and historically marginalized communities in shaping the future of healthcare innovation. And will also work to continue to educate communities on how to advocate for themselves and leverage healthcare AI for their betterment.  

Experts and allies agree that AI can be a powerful tool for change. Below are perspectives from organizations driving progress toward health equity in AI: 

—– 

“I believe that AI has the potential to help address some of the most pressing issues in our health care system by adding simplicity and improving quality of care. Or it could widen the existing disparities and add friction to an already too complex U.S. health care system. It is crucial that, as AI tools are developed, they keep all people at the center of these approaches.” 
 

— Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 

—– 

“AI will shape the future of healthcare — but whether it advances equity or entrenches inequity depends on the values that guide its design and governance. At this critical juncture, we need to ensure AI is developed with transparency, accountability, and community voice at its core, so innovation strengthens trust and improves health outcomes for those historically left behind. I applaud the NAACP for developing this critical and timely resource for researchers and leaders engaged in AI and health equity work.” 
 

— Daniel E. Dawes, Dean and Senior Vice President, Meharry Medical College School of Global Health 

—– 

“As an executive and AI expert who has spent more than a decade building platforms for Black communities and advising companies on responsible innovation, I’ve seen how quickly technology can go wrong without intentional leadership. AI in healthcare is no exception. If equity isn’t built in from the beginning, these systems will repeat the same biases that have cost our communities time, money, and lives. But when we design models with purpose and accountability, the impact can be transformative. That’s why we’re proud to stand with the NAACP to advance this work.” 

  — Morgan DeBaun, Founder & CEO, AfroTech & Blavity Inc. 

—– 

“The focus on AI’s role in health will be increasing, especially as it helps to identify new paths to wellness for providers and patients. The paper highlights the importance of including communities in the design and deployment of AI to ensure accessibility for all, particularly those affected by the range of persistent health disparities that emerging technologies can help to mitigate.”  
 

— Nicol Turner Lee, Founder, AI Equity Lab, Brookings Institution 

—–
 

“The National Medical Association (NMA) is inspired by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Chris Pernell and the NAACP Center of Health Equity in exploring how AI can transform healthcare. There is a clear sense of urgency to advancing AI to improve equity and access in healthcare. The NMA is clear on the transformational power of AI to support our members and their patients. Our newly formed AI/Innovation/Entrepreneurship Task Force is working diligently to inform AI in health equity by ensuring that these technical advances adhere to a robust regulatory and ethical framework. We deeply appreciate the NAACP for its vision and partnership.” 
 

— Roger A. Mitchell, Jr MD, 126th President, National Medical Association 

—– 

“Everyone should have access to health care, yet too often, health tech leaves some people out. AI offers incredible promise, but only if communities are part of the process from the start. This white paper is a roadmap for doing better, embedding fairness, transparency, and partnership into every stage of healthcare AI development. When we combine innovation with lived experience and accountability, we create solutions that truly reflect the needs of all people. That’s how we build a healthier future together.” 
 

— Dr. Dwayne Proctor – President & CEO, Missouri Foundation for Health 

—– 

“Artificial intelligence will transform health care and our broader health system, but it is essential that it be applied with thoughtful objectives, strong ethical guardrails, and community-driven accountability. AI holds tremendous potential to reduce health inequalities, yet there are real risks that it could widen existing gaps if not designed and governed responsibly. I applaud the NAACP for elevating this critical conversation and for leading with both courage and clarity. Their work ensures that as AI reshapes the future of health, justice, inclusion, and shared benefit remain firmly at the center.” 
 

  — Ryung Suh, MD – President, American College of Preventive Medicine 

—– 

“AI will define the future of healthcare — but it must be grounded in equity to truly serve humanity. As I introduced in our recent article on surgical access, a ‘three-pronged approach’ is essential: we must train AI with diverse data, continuously monitor it through rigorous feedback, and ensure ethical, accountable frameworks govern it. These principles are not just technical — they are moral imperatives. The NAACP’s leadership in advancing this conversation is timely and essential. Their work makes clear that if AI is to be a force for health equity, justice must be embedded in its design from the ground up.” 
 

—  Hassan A. Tetteh, MD, MBA, FACS, FAMIA, Author, Smarter Healthcare with AI | Chief Veterans Health Officer, AI MIND System Foundation | Surgeon and Founder, Human Care Technologies 

—– 

“AI has tremendous potential to aid in data-driven innovation to improve health for all communities. But AI is a tool. It must be used in a manner that protects health data and is focused on advancing health through a lens of equity so that everyone benefits. Importantly, this white paper provides needed guidance on prudent, ethical AI use to achieve this goal for every community including those most in need and often overlooked.” 
 

— Deanna J. Wathington, MD, MPH, FAAFP, CPH, Immediate Past President of the American Public Health Association 

—– 

To learn more about ACE Your Health and access the full white paper, visit naacp.org. 

 
About NAACP 

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st-century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities. 

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity. 

About Sanofi  

Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives; this inspires us to drive progress and deliver positive impact for our people and the communities we serve, by addressing the most urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges of our time. 

About ACE Your Health Initiative 
The ACE Your Health initiative is supported by a collaboration between the NAACP and Sanofi to understand the resources available in communities that help people lead their healthiest lives.  

Janette McCarthy Wallace, NAACP General Counsel shared the following statement:

“The Court’s refusal to revisit Obergefell respects both constitutional precedent and the lived reality of millions of families. Public officials cannot use personal beliefs to deny other people’s rights, and accountability for such discrimination must stand. Today is a win for freedom, family, and the rule of law.”

This move is the result of a petition brought by former Kentucky court clerk Kim Davis, who sought to undo Obergefell after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and being held liable in federal court. Lower courts rejected her arguments, and the Supreme Court also declined to take the case.

The NAACP remains steadfast in defending the fundamental freedoms that allow individuals to live and love openly and safely. From communities to the courthouse, the Association will continue to fight efforts that target the LGBTQ+ community. For more information on our efforts to protect diversity, equity, and inclusion, visit our website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November, 2025
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON — The NAACP condemns this evening’s Senate vote to end the government shutdown as a profound betrayal of millions of Americans left without affordable healthcare. For more than a month, families endured life without a sustainable income — not as a matter of choice, but as collateral in a political standoff. Yet, instead of restoring stability and dignity to those harmed, this agreement offers little more than a return to uncertainty, frustration, and neglect.

Even more devastating is the refusal to extend affordable healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the midst of economic paralysis and mounting hardship, our nation’s leaders chose performance over principle. They left millions of Americans exposed — without coverage, without care, and without compassion.

Healthcare is not a privilege. It is a human right. Denying it is an act of cruelty; withholding it is an act of cowardice.

“This deal betrays the American people who will lose their healthcare coverage as a result of weak and ineffective lawmakers,” said Derrick Johnson, President & CEO, NAACP. “It is a stark reminder that empty gestures cannot heal a hungry child, cannot cover a medical bill, and cannot revive the dignity stripped from hardworking Americans who were reduced to a lesser state by political theater. The American people made their thoughts clear in Tuesday’s elections, and every lawmaker backing this deal should consider themselves on notice.”

We are left to ask a haunting question: When does the “Great” part of America begin — and for whom?

Until our leaders govern with courage, empathy, and accountability to the people — not to party or power — America will remain a nation that too often turns its back on its most vulnerable.

The NAACP will continue to fight for policies that prioritize people over politics, truth over theatrics, and justice over convenience. Visit naacp.org for more information. 

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Press Statement November 4, 2025

NAACP Celebrates Victories for Democracy Across the Country, Looks to 2026 to Continue the Fight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

November 4, 2025 

Contact: communications@naacpnet.org 

WASHINGTON — The NAACP celebrates the numerous victories for democracy following the November 4th election. California voters stood up to those who would silence Black voices and undermine our democracy. With the passage of Proposition 50, Californians made it clear: our vote is our voice, and we will not be silenced. Through the historic election of women, Black women, people of color, and champions for the people across the United States, voters demonstrated that they will not allow the administration to erode democracy. 
 

From training and deploying hundreds of poll monitors and recruiting over 1,500 volunteers across California, New Jersey and Virginia, to knocking on thousands of doors and engaging with six million voters, launching a $150,000 ad campaign in support of Prop 50, suing election officials for illegal activities, regranting $350,000 to NAACP units and partners to mobilize Black voters to the polls and in key House districts, investing more than three-quarter million dollars in GOTV, the NAACP fought for democracy this election cycle.  
 

NAACP congratulates California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Prop 50’s passage and our partnership on this historic redistricting effort. We also congratulate Mary Sheffield, the first Black woman mayor-elect of Detroit and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles on her fifth term. In a pivotal victory in Pennsylvania, voters chose to retain their Supreme Court judges, including Christine Donohue. Virginians showed up to protect democracy by choosing a new path in their statewide elections and in the Virginia State House. These victories highlight what is possible when our communities mobilize for representation and results. 
 

“This election represents more than a win for any particular community or state. It’s a signal from voters across the country that they are dissatisfied with this current administration and its policies of cruelty,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Prop 50 proves that when fairness is on the ballot, the people win. Across the nation, Black voters, in particular, Black women, are leading the charge for progress, equity, and justice. Let this serve as a message to lawmakers: our communities are paying attention, we’re organizing, and we’re voting for policies that deliver. 
 

“The results we’re seeing in California, Detroit, Charlotte, Virginia, New Jersey and beyond show what happens when voters choose fairness over fear,” Johnson continued. “The next chapter of this country will be written by those who organize, participate, and believe in a democracy big enough for all of us. And the NAACP will be there every step of the way.” 
 

The NAACP is a nonpartisan organization that supports policies, not politicians. The Association’s work centers on defending democracy, advancing civil rights, and educating voters on the issues that affect their daily lives, from the economy and healthcare to housing, education, and public safety. 
 

“Black voters are not identity voters or single-issue voters,” said Dominik Whitehead, NAACP Chief of Field, Membership Growth & Unit Sustainability. “We’re paying attention, and we’re connecting the dots between affordable housing and healthcare, between jobs and education, between government accountability and our ability to thrive. Every election matters. That’s why we’re going to be laser-focused on 2026, so we can fight for policies that uplift Black Americans and as a result, all Americans.” 
 

The NAACP’s campaign to defend democracy continues beyond this election. The Association is already mobilizing voters through nationwide town halls, issue education, and community organizing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. 
 

The NAACP is also currently pursuing litigation against the States of Texas and Missouri, and in counties across the country over their unconstitutional gerrymandering, in Virginia for violating students’ right to vote, and against the Trump administration for an executive order that would suppress millions of voters, among other cases. 
 

Voters across the country have made clear they are dissatisfied with the current administration’s policy violence, an economy in decline, mass layoffs, a Republican-controlled Congress that shut down the government and refused to fund affordable healthcare, and a federal agenda of cruelty that takes food from women and children while deploying ICE and the military in American neighborhoods. To learn more about NAACP’s fight for democracy, visit naacp.org/vote.
 

• Cannabis:
• Winsome Earle Sears (R)
  • Likely ban. In 2021 opposed recreational marijuana legalization as “a gateway drug.” Said, “I’m not against medicinal marijuana.”
  Abigail Spanberger (D)
• Legal. Says, “We need a formalized, legal, emerging cannabis market.” Voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.
• Climate Change
• Winsome Earle Sears (R)
  • Likely no. Has supported offshore oil and gas drilling, and supports an all-the-above energy strategy: “clean coal. Oil… renewables. Nuclear. Natural gas.”
  Abigail Spanberger (D)
• Yes. Says climate change is a “direct threat” to our future. Supported funding local “climate stewardship” and voted for $369 billion in clean energy investments
• Gun Rules
• Winsome Earle Sears (R)
  • Loosen. Said, “Gun control laws infringe on the right to self-defense and deny people a sense of safety. Gun control laws DO NOT deter crime; rather it is gun ownership that deters crime.” Supports a strong Second Amendment.
  Abigail Spanberger (D)
• Winsome Earle Sears (R)
  • No position found.
  Abigail Spanberger (D)
  • Yes. As governor, would sign legislation to raise the VA minimum wage to $15 an hour.
  • Voting Rules
• Winsome Earle Sears (R)
  • Harder. Supports new Virginia voter ID requirements and strict vote-by-mail procedures.
  Abigail Spanberger (D)
  • Easier. Voted for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. “Supports the General Assembly’s work to add a restoration of voting rights amendment to the Virginia Constitution.”
  • Women’s Rights
• Winsome Earle Sears (R)
  • Ban. Opposes adding reproductive rights to the Virginia constitution. Supports a 15-week ban, after supporting a six-week ban in 2021. Voted against guaranteeing a right to contraception in Virginia law.
  Abigail Spanberger (D)
  • Legal. Supports adding reproductive rights to the Virginia constitution. Supports “the right to choose.” Says, “Congress needs to codify Roe v. Wade as federal law.”
• Tighten. Said, “As a former federal law enforcement officer, I carried a gun…. I support the Second Amendment. I also believe that commonsense gun safety laws are necessary to curb the gun violence epidemic we are facing today.”
• Minimum Wage

This election season, we hold the most powerful tool to make democracy work for Black Americans: our vote. The issues that affect our community will make or break how we continue to thrive in this country. Together, let’s amplify the voice of Black America to make sure solutions to our most pressing issues are equitable by voting.

With your help, we can save America’s democracy.

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Take note of these important dates to help make a plan to vote.

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People often don’t vote because they don’t know where candidates stand and are confused about how to find out. Widespread political cynicism, disinformation, and spin don’t help. But nonpartisan candidate guides provide a concise and credible way to compare candidates’ stands and make clear why voting matters.

Use the below voter guide, powered by guides.vote, to help you decide who should represent you in elected offices across Virginia in 2025.

Virginia – let’s get to work.

The Key Issues

See where your potential elected officials stand on the important issues that affect the Black community in Virginia.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2025

Contact: communications@naacpnet.org 

RICHMOND, Va. — The NAACP is the nation’s largest, most influential nonpartisan social justice organization. Any claim that the Association or the NAACP Virginia State Conference has endorsed a candidate for Governor is categorically false. The NAACP supports policies, not politicians. We do not endorse candidates, and we will never allow misinformation to undermine our commitment to protecting Black voters and our democracy.

“The NAACP Virginia State Conference has not endorsed any candidate for Governor. Period,” said Rev. Cozy Bailey, Virginia State Conference President. “We remain focused on the issues that matter most to our community: protecting voting rights, expanding access to affordable healthcare, improving economic opportunity, and ensuring that every eligible voter is able to cast a ballot freely and fairly.”

As Virginians prepare for Tuesday’s election, NAACP units across the Commonwealth are mobilizing voters through door-to-door canvassing, SMS and phone banking, volunteer engagement, community voter education events, and a robust GOTV effort designed to empower Black voters to participate in every election.

“People want to turn this into a political game, but for our communities, the stakes are life and death,” said Dominik Whitehead, NAACP Chief of Field, Membership Growth & Unit Sustainability. “We don’t endorse candidates. We fight for civil rights, and we’re laser-focused on getting our people to the polls to defend democracy and to vote for leaders who stand for policies that benefit Black Americans.”

The NAACP encourages all eligible Virginians to vote on November 4th and to remind friends, family, and neighbors that elections have consequences. To learn more about NAACP’s work to defend democracy, visit: naacp.org/vote.

WASHINGTON  – The NAACP strongly condemns the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Interim Final Rule on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs, which strips away race- and gender-based presumptions of disadvantage, effectively dismantling decades of progress toward economic justice and equity in federal contracting. 

The rule, issued on September 30, 2025, removes critical protections for minority- and women-owned businesses by requiring all applicants to individually prove “social and economic disadvantage,” regardless of centuries of well-documented systemic barriers to capital, contracts, and opportunity. 

“This rule is nothing more than an attempt to erase the reality of racism in contracting,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “The Department of Transportation has turned its back on history and on the very purpose of the DBE program. The economic exclusion of Black Americans and women isn’t theoretical. It’s measurable and ongoing. This change signals that the federal government would rather pretend inequality doesn’t exist than address it. It’s unfortunate but not unexpected.” 

The DBE program was originally designed to drive economic equity for small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses — many owned by Black Americans, other people of color, and women — competing for federally funded contracts. These programs were grounded in more than eight decades of federal recognition that racism and discrimination continue to distort access to opportunity, beginning with President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration and continuing through President Kennedy’s 1961 Executive Order on Affirmative Action. 

By eliminating race- and gender-based presumptions and forcing all firms to individually prove discrimination, the DOT has shifted the burden of proof from the government — which has long acknowledged systemic inequities — to the very entrepreneurs harmed by them. 

The NAACP advises that Black, brown and women-owned businesses continue to document discrimination and to hold this government accountable.  

The Association calls on the Department of Transportation to rescind the rule and restore federal commitments to equity in contracting. The NAACP will continue to monitor this policy, work with congressional partners, and, if necessary, explore all legal avenues to protect the rights and opportunities of disadvantaged businesses across the nation.