117th NAACP National Convention Ends in Chicago, Mobilizing Thousands Under the Theme “We, The People”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 24, 2026

Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org 

CHICAGO –The 117th NAACP National Convention ends in Chicago, after bringing together civil rights advocates, community organizers, youth leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers from across the nation. Held under the theme "We, The People," the five-day gathering served as a powerful call to action on civic engagement, civil rights protection, environmental justice, and economic equity.

Throughout the convention, thousands of attendees engaged in panels, planning sessions,  mainstage discussions, and setting the Association's policies focused on addressing systemic inequities, defending democracy, and advancing opportunities for Black communities.

Notable guests include Don Lemon, award-winning journalist and J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois. Featured guests also include actor Michael Rainey, Jr., 4x NBA Champion and MVP Andre Igoudala, journalist Jemele Hill,actor Morris Chestnut, actor Billy Porter, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, activist Angela Rye, rapper and song-writer G Herbo, Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, Beyond The Gates stars Clifton Davis and Brandon Claybon, artist BJ the Chicago Kid, content creators Atiya Walcott and Jaz Turner, and more.

Photos and video of the NAACP are available with credit to NAACP. 

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson shared the following statement during his remarks at the Opening Mass Meeting:

"All roads lead to November. There is nothing more important than this convening as we prepare to have an impact at the polls because November is the destination. As we do our work as an association, it is important for us to see us – our light, our power. Because we are once again being called to save this democracy.

"A democracy that has not always been kind to us. A democracy that has always worked to figure out how to go around us. That has preferred to circulate capital control to exploit us. And yet we are here at this place as the most loyal and dedicated citizens this country has ever seen."

The 117th National Convention highlighted several pivotal policy areas and community initiatives:

• Civic Engagement & Policy Resolutions: Delegates voted on policy resolutions that will frame the NAACP's national advocacy agenda, with a focus on voting rights protection, education equity, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. During the Democracy Summit, the NAACP civic engagement team led sessions on the importance of getting out the vote in the midterm elections. 
• The Hub & Economic Empowerment: Serving as a central feature of the convention, The Hub highlighted Black-owned businesses, technology innovation, financial literacy, and community health initiatives.
• Youth Leadership & Innovation: Youth scholars and creatives showcased their achievements during the national finals of the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) and Youth and College advocates addressed food insecurity in the city of Chicago with the Day of Service.
• Marquee Events: Delegates gathered for signature proceedings, including the Charles Hamilton Houston Legal Advocacy Training Institute, which featured some of our nation's most revered Attorneys General, and the annual Spingarn Medal presentation, the highest honor of the NAACP which was awarded to Rev. Dr. Amos Brown. Tutored by Medgar Evers, Benjamin Mays, Samuel Williams, J. Pious Barbour, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (as one of the eight students in the only class Dr. King taught in his lifetime at Morehouse College), Dr. Brown is known among World leaders, presidents, celebrities, and academicians alike for his trademark activism, intellectual discipline, and masterful oratory.

"Illinois is proud to welcome the NAACP and thousands of its members, allies, and leaders to Chicago," saidGovernor JB Pritzker. "At a moment when the right to vote and the promise of equal representation are under attack, the NAACP's courage and leadership has never been more important. The theme 'We, the People' is a reminder that our democracy only lives up to its promise when every voice is heard, especially those that have been systematically silenced and Illinois stands with the NAACP in that fight."

The 117th NAACP National Convention is proudly sponsored by: City of Chicago, Amazon, American Airlines, Bank of America, Ford Philanthropy, JPMorganChase, Airbnb, Sanofi, State Farm, Wells Fargo, The Coca-Cola Company, Denny's, McDonald's, Walmart, ASAP 340b Coalition, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CFTFK), Comcast NBCUniversal, CVS Health, Earthjustice, FedEx, MGM Resorts International, Navy Federal Credit Union, Novartis, Pfizer, Travere Therapeutics, American Red Cross, Bally's Chicago, Caesars Entertainment, Center for Responsible Lending, Charles F. Kettering Foundation, Choose Chicago, Coco5, Havas, Marriott, REACH Beyond Solutions, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Starz Entertainment, Walden Haren & Williams LLP, WellWithAll, WilmerHale, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFCSME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Communications Workers of America Union (CWA), International Association of Machinists and Workers (IAMAW), Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), National Education Association (NEA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), UNITE HERE!, United Auto Workers (UAW), and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

To watch our sessions from the 117th NAACP National Convention, visit @naacp on YouTube.

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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.