🎓 Mooresville-South Iredell NAACP Celebrates Class of 2025 Scholarship Recipients! 🎓

The Mooresville-South Iredell NAACP has awarded scholarships to four outstanding seniors from the Mooresville High School Class of 2025. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community commitment.

This year, Mooresville High School seniors were awarded a remarkable $7.5 million in scholarships overall—a true testament to their hard work and dedication!

A special shout-out goes to Pam Bryant, our devoted Scholarship Chairperson, for her tireless efforts in making these awards possible. We’re also grateful to Mike Cook, one of our generous sponsors, who made it possible to award a scholarship specifically for a student attending Mitchell Community College.

To all who have supported our scholarship fundraising programs—thank you. Your contributions help open doors and create brighter futures.

🎉 Congratulations to all the graduates of the Class of 2025! We celebrate your achievements and can’t wait to see what you do next!

NAACP Urges FEMA to Protect Black Communities in Disaster Response Reforms

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NAACP has submitted formal comments in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) recent Request for Information (RFI) regarding potential updates to its programs and structure. The proposed changes could have adverse effects on Black communities disproportionately impacted by natural disasters.

Abre’ Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, emphasized the urgency of action:

“Black communities are facing increasingly severe and frequent disasters—often the result of deliberate decisions to expand fossil fuel use in frontline neighborhoods. Our local branches and state leaders are calling for stronger coordination from FEMA, along with the resources needed to rebuild and prepare for a more resilient future. Now is the time for FEMA to enhance transparency, improve communication, and prioritize mitigation strategies.”

In a joint letter co-signed by the NAACP and the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), the organizations called on FEMA to:

• Expand disaster assistance for renters,

• Ensure the equitable replacement of affordable housing after disasters,

• Improve outreach and support for Black communities, and

• Enforce federal civil rights protections in all aspects of disaster recovery.

For decades, Black Americans have faced systemic inequities in federal disaster response and recovery efforts. The NAACP remains committed to centering environmental justice and community engagement in disaster policy. We will continue to champion frameworks that build long-term resilience and equitable support for Black and low-income communities.

Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

May 15, 2025

NAACP Appoints Dominik Whitehead as Chief of Field, Membership Growth, and Unit Sustainability

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NAACP is proud to announce the appointment of Dominik Whitehead as its new Chief of Field, Membership Growth, and Unit Sustainability. In this vital leadership role, Whitehead will spearhead the Association’s grassroots organizing and membership strategies, driving national, state, and local efforts to empower Black communities and safeguard democracy.

Since joining the NAACP in 2019, Whitehead has been at the forefront of civic engagement, advocacy, and voter mobilization. As Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Mobilization, he led two of the organization’s most ambitious initiatives: a $20 million civic engagement campaign across 12 states in 2024, and a $16.5 million Black voter mobilization effort during the 2020 presidential election.

“Dominik has spent his career on the frontlines of the fight for equity and democracy,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO. “His strategic vision, organizing expertise, and deep commitment to amplifying Black voices make him the ideal leader to strengthen our grassroots power. It is my honor to welcome him to this critical role as we continue advancing the NAACP’s mission.”

Whitehead also launched the Building Community Voice Fund in partnership with GSSA Data Analytics Firm, distributing more than $12.5 million to NAACP branches and Black- and Brown-led organizations focused on voter education, registration, and turnout.

“It is a true honor to serve in this role for the NAACP—the nation's most influential civil rights organization,” said Dominik Whitehead. “My mission has always been to organize our people, build lasting power, and ensure our communities are seen and heard. As we look ahead, I’m committed to mobilizing for impact, growing our grassroots strength, and protecting our democracy.”

Before joining the NAACP, Whitehead served as a Political Action Representative at AFSCME, where he led campaigns to elect leaders who support working families. A seasoned strategist, he’s held senior roles in state and national campaigns in Florida, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

As he joins the NAACP executive leadership team, Whitehead is poised to expand the organization’s reach, energize membership growth, and lead bold strategies for transformative civic engagement in 2025 and beyond.

Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

April 28, 2025

The NAACP Urges North Carolina Lawmakers to Vote NO on N.C. House Bill 171 Which Would Ban DEI in State Agencies

HB171 poses a serious threat to fairness, innovation, and North Carolina’s economic competitiveness—particularly in public contracting.

If enacted, this bill would repeal critical statutes like NCGS 143.128.2–4, which established the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB Office). These statutes have played a vital role in opening opportunities for diverse businesses to compete for state contracts, increasing innovation and reducing costs through broader, more inclusive competition.

Repealing these laws would:

• Restrict access for minority- and women-owned businesses

• Drive up construction costs by shrinking the pool of qualified bidders

• Make North Carolina less appealing to businesses, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers

• Slow economic growth at a time when inclusive practices are key to progress

The 2021 North Carolina Disparity Study underscores the continued need for equitable contracting. Although minority- and white women-owned businesses comprise 33.7% of available construction firms, they receive less than 8% of contract spending.

HB171 addresses no real problem. Its sponsors have provided no data to justify the bill and have made false claims—suggesting, without basis, that current laws require quotas or override merit. In reality, North Carolina’s procurement system is strictly merit-based, awarding contracts to the lowest responsive, responsible bidders.

Even more troubling, the bill introduces civil penalties aimed at silencing those who advocate for fairness and wider participation in state contracting—an approach that is both undemocratic and chilling.

We cannot afford to undo decades of progress toward economic inclusion and equity.

Vote NO on HB171 and reject policies that would undermine North Carolina’s ability to grow in a fair, inclusive, and competitive way.

NAACP Calls for State Lawmakers to Vote NO to N.C. House Bill 171

protect fair access and economic growth!