NAACP NYS CONFERENCE HOLDS GENERATIONS OF JUSTICE GALA CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF HISTORY, IMPACT AND FUTURE
Hosted by Angela Yee, the evening honored Brandon Blackwood, Andrew L. Davis, MBA, Lamar Richardson, and Candis Tall; Generations of Style VIP Lounge Experience hosted by Bevy Smith
Presenters and attendees included Two-time Tony Award Winning Actress Kara Young, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Leitia James, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and many others
NEW YORK—The NAACP New York State Conference hosted its Generations of Justice Gala: A 90th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, October 9 at Capitale NYC. The gala was a powerful evening of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to civil rights that brought together leaders, partners, and changemakers from across the state to honor the generations who built the movement. The gala also served as an opportunity to invest in the future of equity and civil rights in New York, raising more than half a million dollars.
Photos capturing the evening can be accessed here.
"Ninety years ago, the people who organized this state conference understood that the fight for justice required organization, coalition, and commitment. When the story of this generation is told, I hope they say that when democracy was being tested, we organized. When our communities were being displaced, we stood our ground. When our children’s futures were threatened, we fought for them. And when the moment demanded leadership, we didn’t wait for someone else to step forward—we stepped forward together," said President of the NAACP New York State Conference L. Joy Williams. “I’d like to thank everyone who was a part of this historic evening and all the leaders who came before us who made this movement what it is today.”
The evening was hosted by Radio Hall of Fame host, four-time Gracie award recipient and media entrepreneur Angela Yee. The Gala also honored fashion designer Brandon Blackwood, recipient of the Design & Distinction Award; healthcare executive Andrew L. Davis, MBA, recipient of the Health & Humanity Award; Tony Award winning producer Lamar Richardson, recipient of the Stage & Story Award; and labor leader Candis Tall, recipient of the Labor & Legacy Award. Two-time Tony Award winning actress Kara Young presented the Stage & Story Award to Richardson. The evening also featured inspiring storytelling, tributes to trailblazers and emerging leaders, live entertainment and performances.
At the gala, the Conference launched The Legacy Vault, a time capsule that will be filled with historic relics — records, memorabilia and stories from the NAACP — and that will be reopened in 2086 to mark the NAACP NYS Conference’s 150th anniversary. Gala attendees also wrote personalized messages and notes about the NAACP NYS Conference’s history and work that were placed inside the legacy vault for future leaders.
Finally, the evening included a silent auction and a Generations of Style VIP Lounge Experience hosted by Bevy Smith.
About NAACP New York State Conference
The NAACP New York State Conference is the New York programmatic arm of the oldest civil rights organization in the country, the NAACP. Through its 54 Branches, the State Conference has played a pivotal role in advancing the vision of the NAACP to build a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
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