The NAACP CA/HI State Conference is proud to recognize the branches, leaders, youth members, advisors, and advocates whose service reflects the very best of our Association. The 2026 State Conference Awards celebrate those who have strengthened their communities, expanded membership, developed the next generation of leaders, advanced civil rights, and demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the mission of the NAACP.
These honorees represent the dedication, leadership, and service taking place throughout our State Conference. We look forward to recognizing them during the 2026 State Convention.
Dr. H. Claude Hudson Award
The Dr. H. Claude Hudson Award recognizes branches that demonstrate NAACP standards through advocacy, engagement on critical issues, and focused programming aligned with the NAACP’s national priorities.
2026 Honorees:
Small Branch: NAACP Orange County Branch
Medium Branch: NAACP San Luis Obispo Branch
Large Branch: NAACP San Jose Branch
Ruby McKnight Williams Award State Membership Award
Named in honor of longtime NAACP leader and Pasadena Branch founder Ruby McKnight Williams, this award recognizes outstanding branch membership growth.
2026 Honoree: NAACP Oakland Branch
Pauline Jones Award
The Pauline Jones Award recognizes excellence in branch financial leadership, including regular reporting, timely membership transmittals, and fulfillment of state, regional, and national responsibilities.
2026 Honoree: Deborah Sullivan NAACP Stockton Branch
The Lulann Sapp McGriff Award
The Lulann Sapp McGriff Award honors a volunteer who has demonstrated courageous and devoted service at the local level, continuing the legacy of former San Francisco NAACP President Lulann Sapp McGriff.
2026 Honoree: Brandon D. Lamar NAACP Pasadena Branch President
NAACP CA/HI Advocacy Awards
The NAACP California Hawai‘i Advocacy Award recognizes members who use their voices and leadership to advocate for equitable treatment and opportunity in areas including voting rights, education, economic empowerment, criminal justice, health, and environmental justice.
2026 Honorees:
Freddye Davis NAACP Hayward South County Branch President
Sharifa Batts NAACP Long Beach Branch President
Dr. Alice A. Huffman Hats Off Awards
2026 Dr. Alice A. Huffman Hats Off Awards recognize women whose leadership and service continue to advance our communities and the mission of the NAACP.
2026 Honorees:
Hats Off Award of Excellence: LaNiece Jones, State President, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA)
Hats Off Award of Distinction: Regina Crawford, NAACP Ventura County Branch President
Hats Off Award for Young Woman in NAACP: Amaya Fields, NAACP National Youth Board Member
NAACP CA/HI Youth & College Division Awards
Our Youth & College Division continues to demonstrate that the future of the NAACP is already leading today. The 2026 youth honors recognize exceptional service, advocacy, membership growth, innovation, and leadership.
2026 Youth Honorees:
NAACP CA/HI YCD President’s Award: Zoe McKellar-Mullen
NAACP CA/HI YCD Advisor of the Year: Debbie Matthews
Willis Edwards Award: Olivia Verrett, NAACP Women In The NAACP Committee Chair
Juanita Jackson Mitchell Outstanding Leadership and Advocacy Award: Taiye Bland-Aruya
Year of Medgar Membership Award: NAACP Stockton Youth Council
Huffman Dukes Advocacy Award: Jordan Howard
Game Changer & Innovation Award: Nemiah Ricks
The President’s Award
This award shall be presented by the State Conference President to volunteers who exhibit service above and beyond normal expectations
2026 Honorees:
Latricia Mitchell President of the NAACP Los Angeles Branch
Carmen-Nicole Cox Founder and President of The Cox Firm for Law and Policy
The President’s Award for Commitment to Youth Development
Given to the top leaders in Branches in the state who have demonstrated support for youth attending conferences and the next generation of NAACP leaders.
2026 Honorees:
Mike Asfall President of the NAACP Beverly Hills Hollywood Branch
Sharifa Batts President of the NAACP Long Beach Branch
The President’s Award for NAACP CA/HI Executive Committee Excellence
Given to a leader on the State Conference Executive Committee who has excelled over the past year by leading a committee or showing volunteer leadership on the Executive Committee
2026 Honorees:
Kenya Taylor NAACP CA/HI Health Committee Chair
Olivia Varett NAACP Women In The NAACP Committee Chair
Congratulations to Our 2026 Honorees
The strength of the NAACP California Hawai‘i State Conference comes from the people and branches who turn our mission into action every day. Whether growing membership, mentoring young people, advocating for justice, strengthening branch operations, or serving their communities, each of our 2026 honorees demonstrates what committed NAACP leadership looks like.
We congratulate every award recipient and thank them for their continued service to the NAACP and to the communities we proudly represent. We look forward to celebrating their achievements together at the 39th Annual NAACP California Hawai‘i State Conference Convention.