NAACP Announces Newly Elected and Re-Elected Board Members During 2025 Annual Board Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2025
Contact: Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON – Last week, the NAACP National Board of Directors met for their Annual Meeting in New York, NY, where they reviewed initial resolutions proposals and elected and re-elected members, pursuant to NAACP's constitution and bylaws. Chairman Leon W. Russell and Vice-Chair Karen Boykin-Towns were re-elected by the board.
"When the NAACP was founded 116 years ago, America was in a dark place. Today, our nation finds itself in another challenging time, where the constitution itself is under threat,"said NAACP Chair Leon W. Russell. "Each year, our dedicated NAACP Board of Directors uphold our constitutional duty of affirming board positions and regional representation. The mission of the NAACP has been and always will be to protect and defend the civil rights of our people and democracy across our country."
In accordance with NAACP Constitutional requirements, the regionally elected and re-elected members were Dr. Karen Hardin (Region 1), Jordan Walker (Region 1 Youth), Tracey Edwards (Region 2), Gia Greenidge (Region 2 Youth), Wendell Harris, Sr. (Region 3), Jalen Day, (Region 3 Youth), Kenya Cox (Region 4), Raven Addison (Region 4 Youth), Madie Robinson (Region 5), Francesca Mitchell (Region 5 Youth), Shevann Steuben (Region 6), Ashanta Gleason (Region 6 Youth), Faith Blackburne Proctor (Region 7), Channing Hill (Region 7 Youth).
Re-elected members At Large include Alphonso Braggs, Claude Cummings, Katherine Egland, Scot Esdaile, James Gallman and Jesse Turner, Jr. Elected to the Board by the Board include Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Lee Saunders, and Thomas L. Kalahar.
"With repeated attacks on our most fundamental rights, assaults on DEI programs, and a surge in hate and violence, the responsibility we have as an organization to fight back is paramount," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. "I'm grateful to the Board of Directors for their service and commitment to the NAACP, especially as we look to the future — not only for our organization, but for the nation. This is our time to stand up against those deliberately working to dismantle all the progress we've made since our founding. This is the moment the NAACP was built for."
The NAACP Board of Directors also conducted the preliminary resolutions review process on topics which will be voted on at the 116th National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina this July. Some key proposed resolutions are as follows;
- The Justice for Joe Louis resolution, honoring the life and service of the "Brown Bomber" and calling for Congress to act to provide reparations to the family.
- A call for regulation in the private equity industry in healthcare.
- Advocating for the prioritization of humanitarian aid and funding to rebuild Gaza.
At the NAACP National Convention, we will conduct the official resolutions process - a joining of good-standing members of the Association to vote on varying resolutions which inform the official policy positions of the NAACP national perspective for the year to follow. We are grateful to everyone who is committed to advancing the mission of the NAACP and fighting for the communities we represent.
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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.