Stay engaged and connected! From community forums and advocacy efforts to social gatherings and action-driven events, the Fairfax County NAACP offers opportunities to learn, network, and make an impact. Stay informed and be part of the movement for justice and equity. Join us at our upcoming events and stay up-to-date with the latest news. | |
July General Membership Meeting.
Special Screening and Discussion on the Documentary "Nationtime"
Join us for a special screening of the groundbreaking 1972 documentary Nationtime during our August General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, August 25th, at a special time of 6:30 p.m.
Filmed during the National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana, Nationtime captures a pivotal moment in American history when Black leaders, activists and community members came together to discuss political power, representation and the priorities of their communities.
Following the screening, members will participate in a facilitated discussion exploring the film’s historical significance, its enduring relevance, and the connections between the issues raised more than 50 years ago and the issues that remain relevant today.
But the conversation doesn’t end in August. This screening will help set the stage for our September Black Agenda event, where we’ll continue the conversation about the issues and priorities that matter to our communities and the work ahead.
Come watch. Come listen. Come be part of a thought-provoking conversation. We encourage all members and guests to join us for an evening of learning, reflection, and dialogue.
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Register Below!
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Save the Date: Black Agenda Event!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Vienna for the Black Agenda Event - "Voices of Black Fairfax".
In partnership with First Baptist Church of Vienna, we’ll join community members, advocates and leaders for a day focused on the issues and priorities that matter to Black communities. The day will include a morning plenary session featuring a local Black activist, breakout sessions and discussions addressing education, health, criminal justice, economic development, homeownership, the state budget and political advocacy.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
This will be an opportunity to learn, engage in conversation, and identify ways we can move from discussion to action.
More information, including registration details will be announced soon.
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Did You Know? You May Be Eligible to Vote
A federal court ruling issued in January 2026 has expanded voting eligibility for many Virginians with felony convictions. As a result of the ruling in King v. Youngkin, voting rights can now only be revoked for a limited category of felonies recognized under common law in 1870. This means that many individuals previously ineligible to vote—including those convicted of many drug-related and other offenses—may now be eligible to register to vote without first applying for restoration of rights from the Governor.
The Fairfax County NAACP has created a simple online tool to help you determine your eligibility. Scan the QR code or visit va-voter-eligibility.streamlit.app to find out if you can register to vote.
Need assistance determining your eligibility or registering to vote? Join us on September 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sherwood Library. Our team will be available to help you navigate the process and answer questions.
To learn more about Virginia’s felony conviction voter eligibility guidelines, visit elections.virginia.gov/registration/felony-convictions-and-voter-eligibility/.
Ready to register? Visit elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register/ to complete your voter registration.
Help Us Spread the Word!
We’re also looking for volunteers to help distribute educational materials to residents’ doors on September 5th, sharing information about voter eligibility for Virginians with felony convictions. If you’d like to help make sure this information reaches the people who need it, sign up to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/gMcPpfNtCdWUEVkS7.
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Fairfax County NAACP Receives Two National Thalheimer Awards!
We did it again! The Fairfax County NAACP has once again been recognized with two National Thalheimer Awards at the 2026 NAACP National Convention in Chicago. We’re honored to receive first place for Publications and third place for Programs.
We’re proud of the work our volunteers and members continue to make possible.
Read more below!
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Roland Martin to Keynote 2026 Freedom Fund Masquerade Ball
The Fairfax County NAACP is proud to announce that acclaimed journalist, media personality, and political commentator Roland Martin will serve as the keynote speaker for our 2026 Freedom Fund Masquerade Ball.
An award-winning journalist, political commentator, and media entrepreneur known for his fearless reporting and unapologetic voice on issues impacting the Black community. He is the host and managing editor of Roland Martin Unfiltered, the #1 Black-owned digital news show in America, and has spent decades amplifying stories centered on civil rights, politics, culture, and social justice. Throughout his distinguished career, Martin has appeared on major national networks including CNN and TV One, earning widespread recognition for his insightful commentary and commitment to truth and accountability.
Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park for an unforgettable evening of elegance, inspiration, and purpose. The Freedom Fund Gala is more than a celebration, it's an opportunity to invest in the Fairfax County NAACP’s ongoing work to advance civil rights, promote equity, and strengthen our community.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, advertising packages, and vendor spaces are available now. Last year’s gala sold out quickly, and we anticipate another full house this year.
Reserve your seat today and be part of an unforgettable evening of purpose, celebration, and impact.
| | Member & Community Spotlight | | Welcome to our Member & Community Spotlight, a recurring feature that celebrates the people and organizations helping to build a stronger, more equitable Fairfax County. Each month, we’ll highlight a Fairfax County NAACP member or community supporter whose leadership, service, generosity, or partnership is making a meaningful impact. Their stories remind us that lasting change happens when individuals and communities come together in pursuit of justice, opportunity, and progress. | |
M J O'Brien
This month, we are proud to spotlight Fairfax County NAACP Secretary Mike O’Brien and his new book, The Tougaloo Nine, which tells the story of nine students who challenged segregation in Mississippi.
Every year, George Mason University hosts a forum for the gathering of book lovers called the Fall for the Book Festival. This year, this extravaganza takes place October 6–10. Though not in the speaker lineup, our very own Secretary Mike O’Brien was invited to sit for a video recording session about his new book, The Tougaloo Nine.
Festival organizers then took the recording, interspersed illuminating photos from the book throughout, and released the short film on their website as an “On Demand Event.” It premiered on July 14 and is getting a hearty reception.
We are proud to celebrate Mike O’Brien for sharing this important story and helping bring the history of The Tougaloo Nine to a wider audience.
The video of Mike's interview is available below.
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Mike O'Brien Discusses The Tougaloo Nine
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July Event Highlights
July included our General Membership Meeting, where members gathered to learn more about behavioral health crisis response and Fairfax County’s Diversion First initiative. The month also brought an opportunity for several Fairfax County NAACP leaders to represent our branch at the 2026 NAACP National Convention in Chicago, joining delegates and advocates from across the country for four days of learning, leadership, and fellowship.
NAACP 2026 National Convention in Chicago
The Windy City hosted the NAACP National Convention this year from July 18 to July 22 at the cavernous McCormick Place Convention Center. A total of 1,688 delegates attended, including four from the Fairfax County NAACP Branch: Karen Campblin, Mike O’Brien, Mary Paden, and Les Shockley—all members of the branch’s Executive Committee. In addition, Pat Jackson, Chair of our Religious Affairs Committee, was also in attendance.
As usual, the meeting was a blur of high-powered speakers, workshops, youth activities, and awards programs. This year's theme, "We, the People," was reflected throughout the convention as NAACP members and supporters from across the country came together for critical conversations, workshops, celebrations, and to strengthen their commitment to the fight for civil rights. Of course, no convention would be complete without presentations by the association’s CEO Derrick Johnson and its Chairman of the Board Leon Russell. [Videos of all main stage presentations can be found at https://naacp.org/convention/livestream
Another special moment for our own Mike O’Brien came when Rev. Dr. Amos Brown, recipient of the 2026 NAACP Spingarn Medal, recommended Mike’s book, The Tougaloo Nine, from the Spingarn Medal Award stage. Rev. Dr. Brown, who is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, was mentored by several prominent figures in the civil rights movement, including Medgar Evers, Benjamin Mays, Samuel Williams, J. Pious Barbour, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In fact, he was one of only eight students in the sole class Dr. King taught at Morehouse College during his lifetime. Rev. Dr. Brown went on to a distinguished career as a pastor in San Francisco and is also featured in Mike’s book. He is widely respected for his activism, scholarship, and powerful oratory. For Mike, hearing Rev. Dr. Brown recommend The Tougaloo Nine from the convention stage was an electrifying and unexpected moment.
At our July General Membership meeting, our delegates and attendee to the convention noted the diversity of thought and uplift of spirit they experienced at the conference.
“Delegates spend a full day discussing and debating resolutions that the full body votes on to give guidance to the national association as to where they should put their emphasis in the coming year. What a wonderful exercise in democracy!” – Mike O’Brien, Secretary
“What an experience it was! I felt so grateful to be in the room to hear the messages of our NAACP leadership. It was inspiring! … To be in the same room with several thousand people all shouting ‘Fired Up and Ready to Go!’ It kind of gave me chills! It was a giant pep rally to get us motivated for the work ahead of us.” – Les Shockley, 2nd Vice President
“I attended as an observer and so was able to freely go around to all of the seminars and workshops. And on Sunday morning, things get started with a Worship Service. And every year it gets better and better. It was a wonderful experience.” – Pat Jackson, Religious Affairs Committee Chair
“I was very inspired by the conference. I was especially inspired by the speeches by the daughter of Medgar Evers and the son of Jesse Jackson. Just the idea of having fought for civil rights so hard for so long and now having to do it all over again but knowing that we’re going to win it again is inspirational. There were a lot of people there united on doing it again. I was also impressed by the youth in the resolutions session. They were very progressive and amended the amendments, pushing the resolutions in a progressive direction. That was a really good feeling to see that. As for housing, it seems like we are right in line with what the national NAACP is pushing for—tenant rights, fair housing, homelessness as well as development and displacement—all things we are working on in our committee.” – Mary Paden, Housing Committee Chair
“This was the best NAACP convention that I have been to. I was able to participate in the People’s Climate Summit, which highlighted all of the environmental justice issues that the National NAACP is promoting, including the ‘Stop Dirty Data Centers’ campaign and I was able to make a presentation—a Virginia report-out—on some of our successes and major obstacles that we are encountering during this campaign. I was also elected to represent our region on the Resolutions Committee next year. It was an amazing convention.” – Karen Campblin, At-Large Member and Region 3 State Representative.
One highlight of the conference was the Membership Luncheon where annually the Thalheimer Awards are announced. The Thalheimer is an annual prize given to the top THREE branches in different size groupings (branches with 500 members or more and those with less than 500 members) that exhibit the most activist, community-engaged Programs. Recently a new award category has been added, Publications, for the branches that have the best media and communications programs.
This year, the Fairfax County Branch sent in documentation for nomination for both a Programs AND a Publications Thalheimer. Amazingly, we won in both categories: a THIRD PLACE FINISH for the Programs award and a FIRST PLACE FINISH for the Publications award. The wins caused much excitement among the Fairfax County delegates. All agreed that the trek to Chicago was well worth it to represent the branch and to learn more about the strong initiatives of the national organization to aggressively push back against the current threats to democracy and pluralism in our society and body politic.
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Scenes from the 2026 NAACP National Convention in Chicago
A look back at some of the Fairfax County NAACP delegation’s highlights from this year’s National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
| | A closer look at our 1st Place Publications Thalheimer Award, recognizing the Fairfax County NAACP’s commitment to excellence in communications and publications. | | Branch Secretary Mike O’Brien and 2nd Vice President and Budget Chair Les Shockley celebrate Fairfax County NAACP’s two Thalheimer Awards alongside Reena Evers-Everette, daughter of civil rights icon Medgar Evers. | | Branch Secretary Mike O’Brien with Rev. Dr. Amos Brown, recipient of the 2026 NAACP Spingarn Medal, holding a copy of Mike’s book, The Tougaloo Nine. | | Some of our Fairfax County NAACP delegates at the 2026 National Convention: Religious Affairs Chair Pat Jackson, Housing Chair Mary Paden, 2nd Vice President Les Shockley, and Branch Secretary Mike O’Brien, pictured with Virginia State Conference President Rev. Cozy Bailey. | | A proud moment for the Fairfax County NAACP as Branch 2nd Vice President and Budget Chair Les Shockley and Secretary Mike O’Brien join NAACP National Chairman of the Board Leon Russell and the awards presenter on stage following the presentation of our Thalheimer Awards. | | Branch Secretary Mike O’Brien, Housing Committee Chair Mary Paden, and At-Large Member and Region 3 State Representative Karen Campblin all smiles at the 2026 NAACP National Convention in Chicago. | | NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson delivers remarks at the Membership Luncheon during the 2026 NAACP National Convention. | | NAACP National Chairman of the Board Leon Russell presents Rev. Dr. Amos Brown with the 2026 NAACP Spingarn Medal. | | Our excitement when we saw the Fairfax County NAACP Branch’s name on the screen as the 3rd Place winner of the Programs Thalheimer Award! | | And then, to our surprise, seeing the Fairfax County NAACP Branch’s name on the screen as the 1st Place winner of the Publications Thalheimer Award! | | The theme, “We, the People,” was reflected throughout the convention, serving as a reminder of the collective power we have to advance the work of justice and equality. | | While in Chicago for the National Convention, our delegates also had the opportunity to visit sites honoring leaders and milestones that have shaped the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality. Here is John Lewis Plaza, honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader and longtime Congressman. | | Branch Secretary Mike O’Brien and Housing Committee Chair Mary Paden at the Fannie Lou Hamer Walkway, honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights and voting rights activist. | | A look at the Obama Presidential Center, celebrating the legacy of President Barack Obama and his historic presidency while showcasing the history, culture and ongoing work of the South Side of Chicago.. | | |
Highlights from Our July General Membership Meeting
At our July General Membership Meeting, Lisa Potter, Director of Diversion Initiatives for Fairfax County, and Laura Maddock, Acute Services Director for the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, shared an informative presentation on behavioral health crisis response and Diversion First.
The presentation explored Fairfax County’s approach to connecting individuals experiencing behavioral health crises with treatment and support instead of jail whenever appropriate, including crisis response services and community resources such as 988, Mobile Crisis Units, and Co-Responder Units.
Their presentation begins at timestamp: 1:15:20
| | Looking for ways to make a difference? Fairfax NAACP is seeking passionate individuals to join our committees and internship programs. Whether you’re interested in advocacy, education, or community engagement, there’s a place for you to contribute and grow. Get involved today and help drive meaningful change! | | |
Membership Committee
Help Us Grow Our Movement!
The strength of the NAACP lies in its members, and we need your help to expand our reach! The Fairfax NAACP Membership Committee is looking for volunteers and interns to engage our community, recruit new members, and ensure our branch remains strong and active. If you love connecting with people and want to make an impact, this is your chance!
Sign up today and be a part of something bigger! Fill out the following form here to get started.
membership@fairfaxnaacp.org
Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity.
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Communications Committee
Use Your Voice to Amplify Ours!
Are you skilled in writing, social media, design or marketing? The Fairfax NAACP Communications Committee needs volunteers and interns to help spread our message, engage the community, and promote our initiatives. If you have experience in PR, graphic design, or digital media—or just a passion for storytelling—we want to hear from you!
Help us shape the narrative. Volunteer today! Fill out the following form here to get started.
communications@fairfaxnaacp.org
Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity.
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Budget Committee
Passionate About Numbers? Help Us Make an Impact!
The Fairfax NAACP Budget Committee is looking for dedicated interns and volunteers to help manage resources that fuel our mission. If you have experience in finance, budgeting, or just love working with numbers, we need you! Join us in ensuring our branch stays financially strong and ready to fight for justice.
Sign up today and be a part of meaningful change! Fill out the following form here to get started.
budget@fairfaxnaacp.org
Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity.
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Criminal Justice Committee
Fight for Fairness in the Justice System!
Do you believe in criminal justice reform? The Fairfax NAACP Criminal Justice Committee is looking for interns and volunteers to advocate for policies that ensure fairness, equity, and accountability in policing and the legal system. Whether you’re passionate about policy change, community outreach, or advocacy, your voice is needed!
Get involved and help us create a more just system! Fill out the following form here to get started.
justice@fairfaxnaacp.org
Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity.
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Legal Redress Committee
Use Your Legal Expertise for Justice!
Are you passionate about civil rights and ensuring justice is served? The Fairfax NAACP Legal Redress Committee is seeking volunteers to help address discrimination complaints and advocate for those in need. Your help can make a real difference to those who have experienced discrimination. No prior legal experience is required.
Join us in the fight for justice—volunteer today! Fill out the following form here to get started.
legalredress@fairfaxnaacp.org
| | At Fairfax NAACP, we believe in fostering the next generation of leaders who are passionate about justice, equity, and advocacy. Our internship program offers valuable hands-on experience in nonprofit work, advocacy initiatives, and community engagement. Join us in making a meaningful impact while gaining practical skills and insight into the work that drives social change. | | There are no new internship opportunities this month, but we remain committed to creating opportunities that inspire and empower young leaders. Stay connected for future announcements. | | |
A friendly reminder to those who pay annual membership dues to belong to the NAACP:
We rely on those dues payments to help us meet our financial obligations, both at the local, state, and national level. Your contributions and engagement are important to us. Please take a moment to check your membership card and see if it’s time to make your dues contribution.
Payment is simple. The following link will bring you to our Fairfax County NAACP web site, where you can update your membership information and then pay via PayPal. Please also consider making a donation when you remit your dues payment.
We very much appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to engaging with you.
For questions about your membership dues, please contact our Branch Secretary Mike O'Brien at secretary@fairfaxnaacp.org.
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Volunteer & Become a Member
Join us in the fight for justice and equity! Whether you have time to volunteer, want to engage in advocacy, or simply wish to stay informed, becoming a member of the Fairfax County NAACP is the first step. Your voice and effort can help create meaningful change in our community.
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Donate
Your support fuels our work. Contributions to the Fairfax County NAACP help fund critical programs, advocacy efforts, and community initiatives that advance racial and social justice. Every donation—big or small—makes a difference.
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