By: LOUIS C. WARD
The NAACP plans to spend $20 million to motivate between six and 10 million infrequent voters to participate in the midterm election.
The NAACP leadership inspired thousands to vote in the 2026 midterm election with an emotional and spiritual presentation at the oldest civil rights organization’s 117th national convention at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Held July 17-22, the convention’s call to action came from NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Board Chairman Leon Russell.
This year’s theme was “We, the People.’’ The organization stated that the theme was “a reminder that the equal rights, quality education, accessible healthcare, and diversity, equity, and inclusion we seek are within our reach. And it can’t be denied by the corporations, politicians, and foreign forces that stand in our way.’’
Addressing the importance of voting in the midterm election, at the opening mass meeting, Johnson said, “All roads lead to November. There is nothing more important than this convening as we prepare to have an impact at the polls because November is the destination.
“As we do our work as an association, it is important for us to see us – our light, our power. Because we are once again being called to save this democracy.”
The “NAACP plans to spend $20 million dollars in the midterm election and motivate between six and 10 million infrequent voters to actually participate in the 2026 electoral process and all subsequent elections,’’ Russell said at the opening session.
The NAACP plans to recruit “tens of thousands of volunteers’’ to help turn out the vote in November.
Russell invoked Matthew 7:16-20, the New Testament scripture, when he described the policies of the present administration’s leadership.
“We, the people, are currently subject to a would-be-tyrant, just as our founders were 250 years ago. We do not need to resort to arms in order to change our government. All we need to do is work together to organize our communities across this nation,’’ he said.
“We must educate, we must litigate, we must legislate and we must advocate. But more than anything else, we must make sure that our communities vote. We must vote in numbers like never before,” continued Russell.
Sessions also focused on youth and technology
The convention program agenda included Civic Engagement & Policy resolutions where delegates voted on policy resolutions that will frame the NAACP’s national policy agenda.
The Hub & Economic Empowerment highlighted Black-owned businesses, technology innovation, financial literacy, and community health initiatives.
Youth Leadership & Innovation provided the opportunity for youth scholars to showcase their achievements during the ACT-SO competition.
At the marquee events, delegates gathered for signature proceedings. Rev. Amos Brown, a legendary San Francisco pastor, was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest honor.
Convention attendees participated in “panels, planning sessions, main stage discussions, and setting the association’s policies focused on addressing systemic inequities, defending democracy, and advancing opportunities for Black communities.”
Welcoming the NAACP to Chicago, Governor J.B. Pritzer said, “At a moment when the right to vote and the promise of equal representation are under attack, the NAACP’s courage and leadership has never been more important.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the power of community organizing, the critical defense of democratic institutions, and stated that “investing in Blackness is an act of justice.”
