By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
This week in Charlotte, NC with the powerful theme, "The Fierce Urgency of Now," the NAACP officially kicked off its 116th National Convention, transforming the city into a hub for civil rights leaders, activists, and community members from across the nation. For the first time in it’s history the NAACP elected not to invite the president of the United States. The convention began with a clear and resonant message: the time for passive observation is over. The urgency was palpable as NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson addressed the challenges facing the country. “We are witnessing a full-scale assault on democracy in real time—from the statehouse to the courthouse," Johnson stated. "This summit is not just a gathering—it’s a call to action." The week’s agenda is packed with high-profile leaders addressing the critical issues. The Women in NAACP (WIN) Brunch featured legal powerhouses including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch. Later in the week, the convention will hear from January 6th Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson who is slated to join a panel titled, “Crisis Point: Defending Democracy and Civil Rights in a Volatile Political Climate,” alongside Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other political leaders.
The convention's opening days were packed with substantive sessions aimed at turning this call to action into tangible strategy. The "Back to the Basics Democracy Summit" provided attendees with training on critical topics such as community organizing and issue advocacy. While high-level strategy sessions are taking place, the convention also opens its doors wide to the Charlotte community through "The Hub," a vibrant and free public space showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of Black America. Featuring everything from a job and career fair to a "Queen City Market" for local Black-owned businesses, The Hub creates a dynamic atmosphere of opportunity and celebration.
The agenda also tackles other critical issues facing Black communities. The Health Equity Summit convenes leaders to address systemic challenges like medical racism, while the NAACP Hollywood Bureau launched "Be in the Biz," a new initiative to create a pipeline for underrepresented creatives. Further sessions are set to explore the intersection of technology and justice with "Rewriting The Future; AI For Progress, Justice and Jobs," and environmental racism with "Power In Action," a panel that comes as the NAACP plans to sue Elon Musk’s xAI company for allegedly polluting Black communities in Memphis, Tennessee. Labor rights have also taken center stage, with the AFL-CIO making the convention a stop on its nationwide "It’s Better in a Union" bus tour. A Labor Town Hall hosted by CNN Commentator Bakari Sellers is also scheduled to explore strategies to advance equity and justice for working people.
As the week continues, the convention will also host an LGBTQIA+ Forum and Reception at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Culture and Art, featuring former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. From democracy and technology to labor and environmental justice, the NAACP's 116th National Convention is sending an unequivocal message from Charlotte: in the face of unprecedented challenges, the fight for civil rights and a thriving, equitable society requires immediate and unwavering action on all fronts.
