Key Achievements and Wins of the Fairfax County NAACP

This page highlights some of the impactful work and milestones achieved by the Fairfax County NAACP.
From award-winning advocacy to community-driven initiatives, we are proud to showcase the
victories that reflect our ongoing commitment to justice, equality, and equity.

 

  • The Fairfax County NAACP successfully lobbied the Fairfax County School Board to drop their ineffective, county-wide reading programs and replace them with phonics-based, scientifically proven reading programs. The Washington Post article, titled “How Black Activists in Northern Virginia Transformed the Way Children Learn to Read,” profiles the years-long effort by Fairfax NAACP Education Committee Chair Dr. Sujatha Hampton and her committee to convince the Fairfax County School Board that minority children were being disproportionately impacted by the ineffective pedagogy. The story also appeared in the Hechinger Report.
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  • Following the tragic police shooting of Timothy Johnson at Tysons Corner Mall in February 2023, our branch swiftly took action. We raised over $14,000 for his family, organized a candlelight vigil and a rally for justice, and hosted a community discussion on Fairfax County’s policing practices. Through the dedicated efforts of our Criminal Justice Committee, our advocacy resulted in the dismissal of the officer involved, his indictment for involuntary manslaughter by a special grand jury, and his subsequent conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm.
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  • Our Political Action Committee (PAC) played a pivotal role in the 2023 election season, partnering with the League of Women Voters (Fairfax Area) and other allied organizations to host a series of online “Meet the Candidates” forums and in-person events. We also organized a “What’s on Your Ballot, What’s at Stake? Why Your Vote Matters” webinar in collaboration with about a dozen allied organizations. Key topics included affordable housing, criminal justice reform, voting equality, and women’s issues. To support these efforts, we developed an “Action Alert” and voter toolkit. Additionally, PAC launched a comprehensive website to inform voters about the candidates and their positions, ensuring our community was well-prepared for the election.
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  • Our Education Committee achieved a major victory when the Fairfax County Public School Board finally, after years of discussion and debate—urged on by frequent in-person testimony and behind-the-scenes nudging by NAACP members—passed its “Educational Equity Policy”. This policy, which promotes dignity, belonging, and prejudice-free interactions, applies to all aspects of FCPS operations and took effect at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
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  • The Fairfax County NAACP Housing Committee led a critical survey of unhoused residents to understand how the County could better support them during the summer’s extreme heat. Coordinating 18 volunteers, we gathered input from 63 individuals at drop-in centers and encampments across the County. This effort followed our successful 2022 advocacy for a “Heat Relief” program, complementing the existing “Cold Relief” winter initiative. The survey highlighted the urgent need for permanent affordable housing, more shelter beds, and additional cooling stations to address the severe health impacts of high heat, smoke, and flooding. Participating in a subsequent county task force, Fairfax NAACP pushed for more shelter beds. After two homeless camps were shut down by county police, Fairfax NAACP submitted guidelines for the county to protect the dignity. rights, and health of homeless people when a camp is shut down. The county is reviewing the guidelines.
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  • Our Religious Affairs Committee hosted two impactful events at Bull Run Park, honoring the history of Black life in Northern Virginia. In June, we led a clean-up effort for 91 historic graves of formerly enslaved individuals within the park. For Juneteenth, our committee organized a prayer vigil to honor these long-forgotten lives. The Juneteenth event received front-page coverage, highlighting its significance and featuring speeches from Fairfax County NAACP President Michelle Leete, elected officials, and descendants of those buried. Initiated in 2022, the Bull Run cleanup and Juneteenth events have become annual traditions. These events celebrate freedom, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the African American community.
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  • As part of our Advocacy Agenda, the Fairfax County NAACP established a Budget Committee to ensure the county’s $5.4 billion budget is allocated fairly and equitably, particularly for economically disadvantaged communities and people of color. In 2024, the committee became fully active during the development of the 2025 Fairfax County Budget. On April 16, 2024, Budget Committee Chair Les Shockley testified at a county hearing, emphasizing crucial issues such as Education, Police Oversight, Legal Redress, and Housing. Additionally, the Housing Committee organized, for the fourth consecutive year, a team of 20 individuals to testify in support of increased funding for affordable housing. This initiative reflects our commitment to advocating for all voices in our community.
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  • For the second time in six years, the Fairfax County NAACP was honored with the Thalheimer Award, recognizing us as the most engaged and activist local branch of its size nationwide. The award was presented at the National NAACP’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas from July 14 to July 17, 2024. Additionally, the branch received the NAACP Ella Jo Baker Award for achieving one of the top three membership percent increases between May 1, 2023, and June 17, 2024.
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  • In September 2024, the Fairfax NAACP endorsed the development of up to 120 units of workforce housing at the Franconia Government Center site. This project aligns with Fairfax County’s goal of adding 10,000 affordable housing units by 2034 and addresses the urgent need for affordable housing in the area. The NAACP supports the chosen development team, which includes experienced local builders, and encourages timely progress while gathering input from the community. Additionally, the Fairfax NAACP helped organize support for the project from local residents and people who will benefit from affordable housing, countering the opposition of some civic associations.
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  • In November 2024, our branch hosted a vital conversation with FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to address the state of Black students and teachers in Fairfax County. The event, led by First Vice President Sujatha Hampton and Legal Redress Chair Mike Woltz, provided an opportunity to discuss challenges, share insights, and explore solutions to advance equity in education. This impactful dialogue underscored our commitment to advocating for systemic change and fostering inclusivity within our schools.