November 5 | Volume 30 No. 33

Westsidestory Newspaper

NAACP California-Hawaii Convention Concludes with Call to Action: ‘We Will Not Be Deterred’

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media college units across California and Hawaii.

The NAACP California-Hawaii State Con-

“We come together at a critical moment. Our ference concluded its 39th annual convention civil rights, voting rights, educational opportuin Long Beach on October 25, reaffirming its nities, economic security, history, and democcommitment to civil rights, civic engagement racy continue to face serious challenges,” said and economic equity.

NAACP (CA/HI) President Dr. Rick L. Cal-

Held October 22 to October 25 under the lender in his welcome statement addressed to theme “We the People: Will Not Be Deterred,”

attendees. “This is not the time to become disthe convention brought together NAACP couraged or distracted. It is the time to become members from local branches and youth and even more determined.”

Elected officials, community leaders, labor representatives and young people also attended the four-day convention, participating in discussions, workshops and celebrations focused on issues affecting Black communities and other communities of color. Among guests were U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.); U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA- 43); California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; civil rights attorney John L. Burris; J. Luke Wood, California State University Sacramento president; and LaNiece Jones, president and CEO of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA). “We Are in the Thick of It,’ underscores the urgency of collaboration and collective action,” Jones said. “We have a tremendous opportunity to strengthen partnerships between NAACP CA/HI, BWOPA California, sororities/fraternities and Black-led community organizations statewide expanding civic engagement, developing future leaders, and continuing to build Black political power.”

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