Rick L. Callender
NAACP board of directors member, Rick L. Callender has served on the Resolutions Committee for more than 20 years. He also serves as president of the California/Hawaii NAACP State Conferences, which boasts 74 branches and youth units. From 2000 to 2008, Callender served as president of the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP branch.
I hope to help us to build our membership and support our youth and college members to be ready to take over the movement. The NAACP has to make sure we are growing those behind us!
Callender is the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Water where he oversees an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water; flood protection; and environmental stewardship of waterways for Santa Clara County's 1.9 million residents.
He has worked for Valley Water since 1996, serving most recently as the Chief of External Affairs. As the CEA, he led Valley Water's efforts in strategic external communications to the media, community, and the public. Rick also oversaw all government relations efforts on local, regional, state, and federal levels and public policies that directly affect Valley Water.
Prior to joining the district, Callender worked as a Special Assistant to former City of San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer. He also served as a Field Campaign Organizer for the California Democratic Party, Congressional Fellow for the United States House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Energy, and as a Congressional Fellow to Congressman Ronald V. Dellums.
Growing up in San Jose, Callender earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Technology with an emphasis in electronic and computer technology from California State University, Chico. He completed all coursework for his Master of Arts in Public Administration from San Jose State University, earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern California University School of Law, and is a member of the California State Bar. Callender also attended and graduated from eight executive leadership programs at different universities throughout the nation.
In the Media
NAACP Convention Closes Underscoring the Fierce Urgency of Now
The 116th NAACP National Convention concluded on a high note as nearly 9,000 attendees gathered in Charlotte to strategize, mobilize, and organize. As the week's events closed, attendees rallied around the theme The Fierce Urgency of Now. Packed with speakers, elected officials, celebrities, sessions, and networking, the Convention challenged the community to shape its own legacy through content, creativity, and collective voice.
NAACP Kicks Off Historic 116th National Convention
The NAACP officially opens its 116th National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, under the powerful theme, The Fierce Urgency of Now. Day one set the tone for a week of action, reflection, and mobilization as delegates, community members, and national leaders gathered to confront the defining civil rights challenges of today.
NAACP, LDF Declares Victory in Successfully Advocating for New, Fairer Electoral Map in Fayette County, TN
Today, after succeeding in convincing county lawmakers to pass a new map that provides fair representation to Black voters, NAACP and the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) declared victory and voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit challenging the illegal and unconstitutional 2021 map of the Fayette County, Tennessee Board of County Commissioners. LDF represented NAACP Fayette-Somerville Branch, Christine Woods, Thomas Gilmore, Velisa Fitzpatrick, Willie Luellen, and Marandy Wilkerson in the now-dismissed case.