California Black Media
LOS ANGELES — The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded Oct. 27 following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott.
Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.”
Participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice and voting rights.
A panel Oct. 25 featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, executive director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, health care access and environmental protections. The session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains made in civil and environmental rights over decades.
Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address those challenges.
The President’s Fireside Chat Oct. 26 brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.
Guest speakers included U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, who spoke at the Women in NAACP Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.
Honors were given to longtime Los Angeles social justice advocate and former Assemblyman Mike Davis for his work in community activism, while actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.
The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.
The convention ended Oct. 27 with a prayer and memorial breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.
