FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Rosa–Sonoma County NAACP Releases Black Community Equity Scorecard to Measure Progress and Drive Change
SANTA ROSA, CA (July 2026) — The Santa Rosa–Sonoma County NAACP Branch proudly announces the release of the 2026 Sonoma County Black Community Equity Scorecard, the first comprehensive report of its kind dedicated to measuring racial equity outcomes for Black residents across Sonoma County.
The scorecard examines fifteen indicators spanning three critical domains—High-Quality Education, Rewarding Work and Economic Mobility, and Inclusive Neighborhoods and Wealth-Building Opportunities—using publicly available data to assess how equitably Sonoma County’s systems are serving Black residents compared to White residents. Through a clear A-to-F grading framework, the report identifies both areas of progress and persistent disparities that require immediate attention.
While the findings reveal significant inequities in educational attainment, poverty, homeownership, and wealth-building opportunities, the report is intended to do more than document challenges. It is designed to serve as a practical tool for collaboration, accountability, and action.
“This scorecard is about telling the truth through data,” said Kirstyne Lange, President of the Santa Rosa–Sonoma County NAACP Branch. “For years, our community has shared lived experiences of inequity. Today, we have measurable data that confirms those experiences while giving us a roadmap for where investment, policy, and partnership are most needed. This is not about assigning blame—it is about creating shared responsibility for building a Sonoma County where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
The NAACP intends to use the scorecard as an annual benchmark to monitor progress over time and to inform advocacy efforts, public policy discussions, funding priorities, and community partnerships. The report will be shared with elected officials, public agencies, educational institutions, healthcare systems, philanthropic organizations, business leaders, and community stakeholders to support evidence-based decision-making and measurable equity goals.
In addition to highlighting disparities, the report documents the branch’s years of advocacy that have helped advance Black-centered initiatives throughout Sonoma County, including housing equity, culturally responsive mental health services, maternal health initiatives, youth leadership development, and the establishment of the Home of Intentional Visioning for Equity (H.I.V.E.), the county’s first Black-led cultural, wellness, and community resource hub.
The Santa Rosa–Sonoma County NAACP hopes the scorecard will become a living resource that is updated annually, allowing the community to measure progress, celebrate improvements, and identify where additional work remains.
“We believe what gets measured can be improved,” Lange added. “This scorecard invites every sector of our community to work together to close longstanding equity gaps and ensure future generations inherit a Sonoma County that is more just, more inclusive, and more equitable than the one we know today.”
The 2026 Sonoma County Black Community Equity Scorecard is available through the Santa Rosa–Sonoma County NAACP Branch and will serve as the foundation for ongoing community engagement, policy advocacy, and collaborative action across the county.
For more information or to request a presentation of the findings, please contact the Santa Rosa–Sonoma County NAACP Branch or visit naacpsantarosasonomaco.org.
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The NAACP’s mission is to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. The vision is an inclusive community where all individuals exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination. The Santa Rosa – Sonoma County Branch was established in 1953.
