Contributing Writer,
This past weekend, the Mississippi State Conference NAACP celebrated a milestone of eight decades of leadership and service with its 80th Annual State Convention and Policy Institute, held November 6–8 at the Jackson Convention Center. With the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” the event honored the organization’s enduring commitment to civil rights while calling a new generation to action.
Hundreds of delegates, youth leaders, and community advocates from across the state gathered for three days of panels, luncheons, and strategy sessions focused on justice, equity, and progress.
“Eighty years of advocacy is not just a celebration of the past—it’s a call to action for the future,” said Charles V. Taylor Jr., executive director of the Mississippi NAACP. “We’re honoring the legacy of those who built this movement while empowering the next generation to carry it forward.”
The convention featured a full agenda of signature events, including the Words from the Wise Luncheon, the State of the State Conference Address, and the Catfish & Blues Dinner featuring legendary musician Bobby Rush. The weekend culminated with the Freedom Fund Banquet, recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations whose work continues to shape Mississippi’s path toward equality…