July 6, 2026
Greetings Freedom Fighters and Friends,
As we gather for our July Membership Meeting, I want to begin by thanking each of you for your continued commitment to the work of our branch. June was a month filled with celebration, education, advocacy, and community building. Every event reminded us that the NAACP is more than an organization—it is a movement powered by dedicated volunteers, passionate members, and community partners who believe in justice, equity, and opportunity for all.
June Highlights
We opened the month with our Monthly Membership Meeting, where members continued shaping the direction of our branch through meaningful discussion, updates, and planning for the months ahead.
Our commitment to civic engagement remained strong as we encouraged community participation in California’s Primary Election, reinforcing the importance of protecting and exercising our right to vote.
One of the month’s highlights was welcoming students from across Sonoma County to our Youth Meet & Greet at the H.I.V.E. Seeing young people from diverse schools, backgrounds, and student organizations come together to build community was inspiring. The future of the NAACP is bright, and we are excited to continue expanding opportunities for youth leadership through our Youth Council and ACT-SO programming.
Our annual Freedom Fund Dinner was a tremendous success. The evening celebrated the resilience of our community, recognized outstanding leaders, and demonstrated what is possible when we invest in one another. I am deeply grateful to every sponsor, volunteer, donor, attendee, and committee member who helped make this event possible.
While we have much to celebrate, we also have one final milestone to reach. Our Freedom Fund campaign has raised $14,250, leaving us just $750 shy of our $15,000 goal. Reaching this goal will directly support our youth leadership programs, scholarships, advocacy efforts, community wellness initiatives, and year-round programming. If you have not yet had the opportunity to contribute—or would like to make one final gift—we invite you to help us cross the finish line. Every contribution, regardless of size, helps strengthen our impact throughout Sonoma County.
June also brought our community together to celebrate Juneteenth, honoring freedom, resilience, culture, and Black excellence. Whether attending our family celebration or supporting the theatrical performance of Ain’t Too Proud to Beg, our members showed up in ways that reflected the joy and strength that define our community.
Our first Youth Social Justice Institute launched with an incredible group of students eager to learn about civil rights history, leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement. Investing in young leaders remains one of the most meaningful ways we can continue Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s vision of education as a pathway to liberation.
Black Equity Scorecard Released
This month also marked an important milestone with the release of the Sonoma County Black Equity Scorecard.
This report represents months of research, collaboration, and community engagement to better understand the experiences of Black residents across Sonoma County. More importantly, it provides a roadmap for accountability and action. The Scorecard identifies disparities, celebrates areas of progress, and offers practical recommendations to improve outcomes in education, economic opportunity, health, housing, public safety, and civic participation.
Our hope is that this document serves not simply as a report to be read, but as a catalyst for meaningful partnerships and measurable change. We look forward to working alongside community organizations, public agencies, businesses, educators, and residents to transform these findings into action that advances equity for future generations.
Looking Ahead: National Convention
This month, members of our branch will travel to Chicago for the 116th NAACP National Convention. This gathering provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with thousands of members from across the country, participate in leadership development, learn national best practices, engage in policy discussions, and help shape the future direction of our Association.
We are proud to represent Sonoma County on the national stage and look forward to bringing back new ideas, innovative programs, and strengthened partnerships that will continue to grow our local impact.
Looking Forward
As we move into the second half of the year, our work continues. We remain committed to expanding youth programming, strengthening advocacy efforts, supporting Black maternal health initiatives, promoting economic opportunity, and creating spaces where our community can gather in celebration, healing, and purpose.
None of this work happens without you.
Thank you to our members, volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and supporters who continue to invest your time, talent, and resources into this branch. Together, we are honoring our legacy while building a stronger future for Sonoma County.
In Service and Solidarity,
Kirstyne A. Lange
President, NAACP Santa Rosa – Sonoma County Branch
2026 Freedom Fund Committee
