The Fierce Urgency 0f Now!
Loretta Winters, Convention Chair
Message From The Convention Chair
The Fierce Urgency of Now!
Loretta Winters
As we gather this weekend, we do so in the spirit of the fierce urgency of now a call not just to convene, but to act. We stand at a pivotal moment in our shared journey, where learning, organizing, and mobilizing are not optional—they are essential. The workshops and networking sessions ahead are more than scheduled events; they are strategic platforms for exchanging knowledge, sharpening our skills, and building the collective power needed to drive meaningful change in our communities.
The tireless efforts of our organizing team deserve more than thanks they deserve recognition as the architects of this movement space. Their commitment to excellence ensures that each year, this convention not only meets but surpasses expectations, evolving to deliver the tools, strategies, and inspiration we need to confront the challenges before us with clarity and conviction.
As Chair, I extend my deepest gratitude to the entire team for their vision, dedication, and relentless work—even in the final hours before the opening session. Their behind-thescenes efforts are a testament to the collaborative spirit that fuels our fight for justice.
This convention exists for one purpose: to educate, equip, and empower community leaders to navigate and transform the complex landscape of civil rights advocacy. Every session is designed to deliver practical, actionable strategies that you can take back to your neighborhoods, organizations, and institutions. The knowledge shared here is not meant to stay in these rooms; it is meant to be mobilized. Now.
We also honor our sponsors, whose steadfast support strengthens our mission and our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). Their partnership reinforces our shared determination to dismantle systemic barriers and build a more equitable society.
Throughout this gathering, I urge you to connect deeply. Networking here is not transactional it is transformational. The relationships you forge can become alliances that advance policies, challenge injustice, and expand opportunities for Black people and all communities of color.
Please refer to pages 5–8 of your program booklet for the full schedule of events and workshops. Each day is rich with opportunities to learn, strategize, and break bread together— lunch and dinner are our gift to you, and we hope you use them to continue the conversations that matter most.
In closing, let us treat this convention not as an endpoint, but as a launchpad. The fierce urgency of now demands that we leave here ready to ripple outward—into our communities, our institutions, and our laws. Together, we can and will advance equity, protect rights, and secure justice for all.
Enjoy the convention and let’s get to work.
’s Welcome Letter
Richard
To the 2025 NAACP NJ State Conference Convention
3:00 PM—7:00 PM WILSON
4:00 PM—6:30 PM CROWN PLAZA
7:00 PM—10:00 PM STOCKTON
Friday, October 10, 2025
REGISTRATION OPENS
LGBTQ+ RECEPTION
8: 15 PM—11:30 PM
(DOORS OPEN 7:45 PM)
LAKESIDE TERRACE
7:00 AM—9:00 AM WILSON
7:30 AM—8:00 PM STOCKTON
7:30 AM—8:00 AM
LAKESIDE TERRACE
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM Amphitheatre
YOUTH & COLLEGE:
WELCOME NIGHT KICKOFF & DINNER
• ICE BREAKER & TEAM BUILDING
• ACT-SO PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE
• SOCIAL HOUR
• SERVICE PROJECT:
LETTERS FROM THE FRONTLINES OF DEMOCRACY-
WRITE AND MAIL LETTERS TO REGISTERED VOTERS
ACROSS THE STATE.
GALA – HOSTED BY W.I.N.
KEYNOTE:HON.LAMONICA MCIVER,U.S.REP.
AWARDS
MaryMcLeodBethuneAward–Dr.NastassiaHarri
ShirleyChisholmAward–MelissaFox
SojournerTruthAward– LaMonica McIver
2025 WIN Committee of the Year (Recipient TBD)
Saturday, October 11, 2025
REGISTRATION OPENS
YOUTH & COLLEGE: CANDIDATE PRESENTATION
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST:
(ADULTS/YOUTH & COLLEGE) ELECTION OF ELECTION SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE & CANDIDATE SPEECHES
PLENARY: (ADULTS/YOUTH & COLLEGE) STATE OF THE STATE
- PRESIDENT RICHARD T. SMITH
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Amphitheatre
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Amphitheatre
12:00 PM 12:30 PM
Amphitheatre
Saturday, October 11, 2025
PLENARY: (ADULTS/YOUTH & COLLEGE)
“BRIDGING GENERATIONS”: YOUTH UNIT 101
MEET THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES
MIKIE SHERRILL (D) & JACK CIATTARELLI (R) (ADULTS /YOUTH & COLLEGE)
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS
• Elena Obiria
• Aaiyah Lewis
• Alani White
• Nathaniel Esubonteng
• Mekeyla Lewis
• Branden Cunningham
12:30 PM—2:30 PM
LAKESIDE TERRACE
2:40 PM—4-15 PM STOCKTON
2:45 PM—3:30 PM
STOCKTON
LUNCHEON (ADULTS AND YOUTH & COLLEGE)
KEYNOTE:
LEON W. RUSSELL , CHAIR PRESIDENT NAACP NJSC
AWARDS:
TORCH BEARER AWARD: JOSH GOLD, UBER
LEGISLATIVE AWARD: VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON, ASSEMBLYWOMAN, 15LD
PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
WORKSHOPS
YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT
Our inaugural summit theme, IGNITE NJ centers on empowering young people with the tools to engage in local and state elections—with focus on the 2025 New Jersey Governor’s Race.
Workshop I“State of the Youth—
The Voting Playbook”
Join us as we build the Youth Voting Playbook and prepare to make our voices heard in 2025 and beyond.
2:45 PM—3:45 PM ROOM 112
WORKSHOPS
ADULT WORKSHOP: ARMED SERVICES AND VETERAN AFFAIRS“OUR FLAG, OUR NATION, OUR BLOOD, LET’S WE FORGET!”
2:45 PM—3:45 PM MADISON
ADULT WORKSHOP: MEMBERSHIP - THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW: NJSC NAACP UNITS UNITE SPEAKING IN ONE VOICE…
3:30 PM—4:15 PM STOCKTON
WORKSHOP 2: YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: “WATCH
THEYARD:VOTINGRIGHTS& EDUCATION” (D9 PANEL)
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
AMPHITHEATRE / MADISON FOYER
4:15 PM—5:00 PM STOCKTON
BLACK V
ENDOR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Madison
YOUTH & COLLEGE WORKSHOP: NAACP 101: HISTORY, MISSION, IMPACT
ADULT WORKSHOP: EDUCATION“WE OWE IT TO OUR
ANCESTORS AND OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE”
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Room 110
ADULT WORKSHOP: ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE
JUSTICE“FIGHTING ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE AT THE LOCAL
SCALE: COMMUNITY GARDENING”
5:01 PM—6:45 PM STOCKTON
(Time subject to Change)
YOUTH & COLLEGE: COMMUNITY SERVICE - PRINCETON
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY COLLABORATIVE STRATEGY
(TIME SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Waterfront
Lower Level
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Lakeside Terrace
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Fireside Chat with:
• Steve Sweeney. Former State Senate president;
• Richard T. Smith, NAACP NJSC President;
• Facilitated by Rev. Eric Dobson, Fair Share Housing.
Evening Event
Youth & College: ROOTS & ROYALTY GALA
8:00AM-10:00AM
Lakeside Terrace
10:00AM-12:00PM
Stockton
New Jersey State Conference Awards Cocktail RECEPTION
Featuring the Lydia Hilliard Experience
AWARDS
President’s Award
Rosa Parks Award
Branch of the Year Award
D9 Awards, and
MVP, NAACP NJSC Award
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Prayer Breakfast (Adults/Youth & College)
Keynote: Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President & CEO, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
Youth Unit Presidents’ Only Meeting, Youth Advisors Only Meeting, and Youth & College
Executive Committee Meeting
•Final DelegationAddress&ClosingRemarks
•Award Ceremony and Recognitions
Biennial State/State Conference Area Conference Election 2025
Eligible Candidates
The below list of candidates received by the Election Procedures Committee & the State Conference Secretary from the National Office were distributed to all units in good standing.
President: Richard T. Smith
1st Vice President: Bruce Morgan
2nd Vice President: Crystal D. Charley
3rd Vice President: Vanessa Brown
Junius F. Carter III
Adrienne Warrick
Amy Jones-Bullock
Carol Peterson-Davis
Cassandra Bien-Aime
Courtnay Johnson-Suffern
Darryl Jeffries
Deirdre L. Hayes
Gregory Sims
James Harris
Jelani Carter-Bowden
Joyce Mollineaux
Kaleem Shabazz
Kisha McLean
Kyra Price
Secretary: Vivian M.J Darkes
Assistant Secretary: Trisha Scipio
Treasurer: LaTanya Nelson
Assistant Treasurer: Michele Henry
Larry Traylor
Lloyd Henderson
Loretta Winters
Michael McNeil
Nathaniel Briggs
Olivia Caldwell
Paul Aronsohn
Reginald Johnson
Roberto P. Sayers
Rosalind Seawright
Sandra Mosso
Serene Quick
Shawn McClain
Tracey Cosby
Executive Committee (Alpha Order by First Name)
Our Sponsors
Thank You
With Deep Gratitude to Our Freedom Fighters.
To all who joined us at the New Jersey NAACP Convention — The Fierce Urgency of Now — Thank you!
Your presence, passion, and commitment to justice made this gathering unforgettable.
Together, we honored our legacy, confronted today’s challenges, and ignited the momentum for change. Your voices, your vision, and your energy are the heartbeat of this movement.
Let us carry this urgency of “NOW” forward — not just in words, but in action.