August 17, 2026
Greetings Freedom Fighters and Friends,
As we move through August, I am proud of the momentum our branch continues to build through advocacy, youth leadership, community investment, and partnership. This summer has given us much to celebrate while also reminding us that our work must continue to move from information to action and action to measurable change.
Celebrating Our $15,000 Goal
We did it! Thanks to the generosity of our members, sponsors, businesses, partners, and individual donors, we officially reached our $15,000 Freedom Fund fundraising goal.
These resources directly support our youth programs, advocacy, community education, wellness initiatives, direct-service efforts, and participation in state and national NAACP activities. As an all-volunteer branch, reaching this milestone represents an incredible investment from our community in the work ahead.
Thank you to everyone who helped us cross the finish line!
State of Black Opportunity: Data Into Action
We also officially launched our State of Black Opportunity – Black Community Equity Scorecard, an important milestone in our ongoing advocacy for greater visibility and accountability around the experiences of Black residents in Sonoma County.
For years, we have advocated for better localized data. The Scorecard now provides us with critical benchmarks to identify where progress is occurring, where disparities persist, and where greater attention and investment are needed.
The value of this work, however, is not simply in producing a report. The value is in what we do with the information.
Our next step is identifying and strengthening partnerships with schools, government agencies, healthcare systems, businesses, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and community leaders who can help address the gaps identified in the Scorecard. Our goal is to move beyond documenting disparities toward creating measurable improvements in opportunity and outcomes.
“We the People” — National Convention
In July, our branch delegation proudly represented Sonoma County at the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago under the theme “We the People.”
The convention brought together members, youth leaders, advocates, organizers, and changemakers from across the country. Throughout the week, there was a clear call to reclaim and recognize the contributions Black Americans have made—and continue to make—to this nation.
We returned home with an equally important reminder: national issues have local consequences.
Education, housing, health, economic opportunity, voting rights, public safety, and civil rights protections ultimately affect people in their own communities. That is why the Black Equity Scorecard is so timely. The national conversation provides context; our Scorecard provides a local roadmap.
Our responsibility now is to combine what we learned in Chicago with what our local data tells us and use both to strengthen advocacy, partnerships, and accountability here in Sonoma County.
Investing in Sonoma County Youth
Youth engagement continues to be one of our branch’s greatest priorities.
This summer, we successfully completed our inaugural Youth Social Justice Institute, giving students an immersive opportunity to explore civil rights history, youth activism, contemporary social justice movements, leadership, advocacy, and community engagement.
We also saw tremendous community support through our Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway, serving more than 150 students across Sonoma County with backpacks and school supplies.
Every backpack represents more than school supplies—it represents a young person beginning the school year knowing that their community is invested in their success. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, educator, and community partner who helped make this effort possible.
These programs are part of our larger commitment to expanding Youth Council, ACT-SO, college and career readiness, civic engagement, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. We are not simply preparing young people to lead someday; we are creating opportunities for them to lead now.
August 26: Know Your Rights in Education
As students return to school, our educational advocacy continues.
On August 26 from 6:00–7:30 PM at the H.I.V.E., we will host Know Your Rights in Education for Students and Caregivers.
This workshop will provide students and families with information about their rights within Sonoma County schools, protections against discrimination, and tools for advocating when concerns arise. We encourage parents, caregivers, students, educators, and community advocates to join us.
Looking Ahead to September
We are excited to welcome Sonoma State University President Mike Spagna to our September 14 Membership Meeting.
As we examine the findings of the Black Equity Scorecard and consider educational opportunity, representation, economic mobility, and belonging in Sonoma County, conversations with institutional leaders are increasingly important. We look forward to an informative and meaningful discussion with President Spagna and our community.
Moving Forward Together
As we enter the final months of 2026, our question is no longer simply, What are the disparities?
We must now ask: What does the data tell us? Who needs to be at the table? Where are the gaps? What resources already exist? And what measurable progress can we make together?
This branch cannot—and should not—do this work alone. The strength of the NAACP has always been our ability to organize people around a shared vision of justice and transform collective concern into collective action.
We have raised the resources. We have gathered the data. We have represented Sonoma County nationally. We have invested in our young people and provided tangible support to families.
Now, we turn toward action.
I encourage our members and partners to stay engaged, attend our programs, join a committee, support our youth, share the Scorecard, and help us build the partnerships necessary to close the gaps it identifies.
We the People includes us. Sonoma County includes us. Together, we will continue ensuring our community is seen, heard, represented, and invested in.
In Service and Solidarity,
Kirstyne A. Lange
President, NAACP Santa Rosa – Sonoma County Branch
Backpack Giveaway Volunteer Crew – August 8, 2026
