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Oct 16, 2025
NAACP NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE KICKS OFF 89th ANNUAL CONVENTION WITH A BLACK POLICY ROUNDTABLE
My First NAACP Convention: Embracing “The Fierce Urgency of Now”
This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 116th NAACP National Convention — and I have to say, it was truly inspiring. Going into it, I knew it would be a powerful experience, but I was not prepared for how much it would affect me. The theme this year was The Fierce Urgency of Now, and I saw firsthand how deeply that message resonated with everyone there.
From the opening moments, it was clear that the fight for justice cannot wait. The conversations, panels, and speeches emphasized that the time to act is right now — not tomorrow, not next year, but today. The challenges facing our communities demand immediate action, and I left feeling more motivated than ever to be part of that change.
Since this was my first time attending the convention, I was especially intrigued by how passionate and committed the young people and college students were. They made it clear they are ready to carry the torch forward, continuing the fight for equality, justice, and fairness. Seeing their dedication gave me hope — I know the future of civil rights is safe with these young leaders pushing us all forward.
I want to take a moment to thank the late, great Honorable Hazel Nell Dukes. Her leadership, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to justice have paved the way for so many of us. I also want to thank L. Joy Williams, President of the NYS Conference (which is in region 2), for giving me the opportunity to write this blog post. Your support means a lot, and I am grateful to be part of this movement.
Highlights from the Convention:
Voter Rights and Democracy: With so many attacks on voting rights happening across the country, the convention made it clear that protecting and expanding access to the ballot is urgent. We are called to act quickly to defend our democracy.
Policy and Legislation: Leaders laid out bold priorities for legislative change — addressing criminal justice reform, health, economic opportunity, and civil rights protections — emphasizing that these issues need immediate attention.
Community Power: Workshops gave practical tools for grassroots organizing, leadership, and coalition-building. The message was loud and clear: we need to mobilize communities NOW to create real, lasting change.
Celebrating Wins and Pushing Forward: The convention recognized those making a difference, reminding us that progress is happening, but there’s still so much more work to do — and it must happen now.
The theme, The Fierce Urgency of Now, really hit home. It is a reminder that the fight for justice is not something we can put off — it is happening right now, and we all have a role to play. I left the convention feeling inspired and ready to get involved in whatever way I can. The time to act is now, and I hope everyone reading this feels the same.
Let us keep pushing, stay motivated, and remember — change begins today.
LONG ISLAND, NY – On Thursday, October 9, the NAACP New York State Conference (NAACP-NYS)
kicked off its 89th Annual State Convention, Rooted to Rise: Building Power Across New York. The state’s
premiere Black policy convention is focused on the tools, bold strategies, and tactical training needed
for branches to enact change in their communities.
The weekend started with a black policy roundtable discussion, featuring tens of electeds - including,
but not limited to: Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, Senator Monica Martinez, Senator Leroy Comrie,
Senator Byonoe, Suffolk County Legislator Minority Leader Richberg, Assemblymember Chuck Lavine,
Assemblymember Kwani O’Pharrow, and Assemblymember Noah Burroughs.
NAACP New York State Conference President L. Joy Williams began her remarks by noting, “For too
long, when we’ve gathered as Black leaders, advocates, and legislators, the conversation has always
starts with deficiencies. What we lack. What’s been taken. What we must fight to keep. And while we
know those realities are true, they cannot be the limits of our political imagination. We have
unprecedented representation across this state - from city halls to the legislature, to county offices and
advocacy tables. That representation is not a trophy. It’s a tool. Because when Black people thrive, New
York thrives.”
Williams was joined by:
● New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes
● Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA)
● Arva Rice, President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL)
● Lurie Daniel Favors, Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Justice (CLSJ)
● Kassandra Frederique, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA)
The distinction between affordability and economic security was a key topic of the roundtable.
“Affordability is setting the bar too low,” said Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of
Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA). “When we say to our electeds, we just want affordability. We’re
selling ourselves short. We need economic security. Economic security is meeting your basic needs and
planning and saving for tomorrow. Planning for your retirement. Saving and planning for your children to
go to college or vocational school. Those who are thriving in America live with economic security. We
keep asking for just enough. And the system is set up so we keep asking for just enough.”
The conversation shifted to power - and the ability to bring power back to black people.
Arva Rice, President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) noted that, “the bringing together of
leaders from different organizations is how we get and build our power. We are coming together to
agree on what the plan is and how we can lead together - united. The Urban League and the NAACP New
York State Conference can be conveners and thought leaders, driving policy and advocacy at all levels.”
Education acted as a thruline to the conversation around power. Lurie Daniel Favors, Executive Director
at the Center for Law and Social Justice (CLSJ) said that, “We currently approach education in a way
that requires you to codeswitch, giving you opportunities that others do not get. You were able to tap
into a skillset that opens up a pathway. When we talk about education, we have to ask ourselves: For
what purpose? To what end does black education need to serve? We have legislators who have decided
to take things away from our children - take food away from our children. We have to consider that we
look at this as a moment of opportunity to clear the path and make demands of the education system.”
Kassandra Frederique, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) said, “I was asked to offer a
truer vision of public safety, one that offers lesser reliance on the punitive systems that have been forced
upon our communities. I'd like to move from a concept of less punitive systems to more systems of
safety, because oftentimes when we talk to black people about criminal legal justice we talk about less -
when we need to be talking about more. It's about more of the things that we know can keep us safe.
Research proves that more programming and more connection leads to less disruption - and less
disruption means less harm. The mainstream only talks about justice and safety, which is focused around
technologies to surveil and profile black communities. My definition of safety is one that creates more
opportunities for connection in our communities.”
New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes was asked about what it takes to win
- responding that, “it takes collaboration. If you’re not saying the same thing at the same time, no one is
listening. People have to continue to be in advocacy mode. You need to ensure that policies that you
pushed for continue to work for you. The most important and valuable thing that we can be doing in this
state is building economic security. Communities need to build in and invest in things that benefit our
children - like food and housing. There will never be justice in society for us until we demand it. It must be
done by us.”
To start the question and answer portion of the roundtable, Executive Director Chris Alexander asked
those in attendance to orient their questions around an overarching theme of a singular investment for
this upcoming state budget. When originally asked, members responded that health, education, and
housing were their top priorities.
Other topics raised were:
● Criminal justice
● Taxes
● Child well being
● Youth community centers
● Medicaid and Medicare cuts
The topics raised at the roundtable conversation are going to have a direct impact on the NAACP New
York State Conference’s agenda for the upcoming 2026 legislative session.
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