NAACP Summit Unites National & Local Leaders to Confront AI Data Center Expansion and Protect Vulnerable Communities

Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org 

WASHINGTON  — Over the weekend, the NAACP convened more than 100 community advocates and allies for the Stop Dirty Data: NAACP National Strategy Summit, bringing together a powerful, multi-stakeholder coalition to confront the rapid expansion of AI data centers and their disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, and low-income communities.

Over three days, speakers — including Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO; Karen Keys Gamarra, D-VA Delegate, House District 7; Rep. Jennifer McClellan, VA-04; Rep. Justin Pearson, TN-86; Assm Dave Bailey, Jr. (NJ), and attendees including dozens of regional leaders, academic and research institutions, environmental justice advocates, and legal and  policy experts — collaborated on national strategies to push back against environmental harm, rising utility costs, and inequitable technological development driven by large-scale data centers.

"AI innovation cannot come at the cost of our communities' health, safety, or economic stability," said Derrick Johnson, President & CEO of the NAACP. "This summit represents a national movement — leaders across sectors coming together to fight back, take back our communities, stop pollution in our neighborhoods, and ensure AI is built on equity, not exploitation. We are mobilizing the power required to protect our people."

Participants examined regional case studies, coordinated research, mobilization, legal, and policy approaches, reviewed emerging research, and aligned on a national narrative to ensure AI development does not deepen environmental injustice across the country. The summit also featured a tour of a Virginia data center to provide firsthand insight into the pollution, energy use, and water demands burdening nearby communities.

"AI has already changed our world and continues to do so, but any AI data center must utilize equity-first framework, like the Frontline Framework developed earlier this year in Memphis," said Abre' Conner, Director of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice. "Black, low-income, and other frontline communities already bear the burden of pollution, higher utility costs, and climate risk. The unchecked expansion of dirty AI data centers threatens to deepen these disparities unless we take action now."

The summit concluded with a shared commitment to mobilize legal, policy, organizing, and communications strategies ahead of major 2026 milestones and the mid-term elections, where the Association will advocate for policies that keep big data companies accountable. 

The NAACP will continue ensuring communities have the tools, protections, and power to influence how AI infrastructure expands across the nation. For more information on our environmental and climate justice work, visit our website.

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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.