"The purpose of knowing history is so that you won’t repeat it. We’re not going back!"
Wendy Byrd
President
OUR MISSION
The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
Know Your Rights
Both the California Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protect your right to free expression. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights.
Choose from the scenarios below to make sure you’re prepared before heading out into the streets.
General Meetings are Open to the Public!
Save Your Spot
AFRICAN AMERICAN GRADUATE RECOGNITION CEREMONY
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FREEDOM FUND
2025
On behalf of the Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support of our annual Freedom Fund & Community Service Awards Banquet, held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Modesto Centre Plaza.
Your generous contribution played an important role in helping us celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of local leaders and organizations who continue to make a meaningful impact in our community. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in advancing the mission of equity, justice, and progress.
Thank you once again for your support. We look forward to continuing this important work together.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Dear NAACP Family,
I know many of you are feeling a deep sense of disappointment after our recent elections. The weight of uncertainty can sometimes feel overwhelming. But I urge you to remember that this moment does not define us, nor does it diminish the powerful voices and ideas we champion for.
Elections are part of a larger journey. Change is often inspired by grassroots level work so don’t you dare feel defeated. Our ancestors faced greater adversities, but still they rose, and we will too. Our journey is not just about one election; it is about a commitment to our principles ever since 1909 when the NAACP was born in New York City by a small multi-racial group of concerned citizens who didn’t like the injustices they saw against Black people.
Take this moment as an opportunity to reflect and to grow. Embrace your disappointment, but do not let it consume you. Transform it into motivation, and let us work together to create the future we so deeply believe in. Believe in ourselves more than we do in others. I am asking for every member to recruit at least three other family members, friends or neighbors who believe in civil rights to join the NAACP. There is a place for everyone, regardless of race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or other. We have work to do!
History teaches us that every set back can lead to a greater comeback. This isn’t the end of the road; it’s an invitation to redefine our path. So often, the NAACP is only called upon when there is a problem, and we’re expected to have a solution. Your participation and getting ready for the next steps are the solution. Every right we have today was earned by those who came before us. Freedom was never free so don’t expect something for nothing. There is a concerted effort to chip away at every civil right in existence that empowers us. Don’t get mad, get busy. Don’t be sad, get organized. Don’t talk about it, be about it. Each one teach one that your service is your voice and we all must contribute. Winners never quit and quitters never win. The NAACP will not be deterred from our mission regardless of who is in charge. We’ve stood steadfast for 116 years with no intentions of stopping now.
Congratulations to our NAACP members who had the courage to run for various offices.It all begins with local politics. Even if your numbers fell short of winning, you advanced our principles by stepping up to the plate. Your NAACP family is proud of you. Thank you for your resilience, your strength, and your unwavering commitment. The journey continues, and together we will rise.
God bless,
Wendy Byrd
President
Wendy Byrd
President
There’s still time to apply for NAACP Inspire Initiatives Scholarships, but the application period closes on April 11, 2025 — and we need your help to ensure every eligible student takes advantage of this opportunity.
If you know a Black student or student of color in need of financial assistance for college, please encourage them to apply. Whether they’re a high school senior preparing for their next step or a current student furthering their education, these scholarships can help lighten the financial burden.
Available scholarships include:
If you’ve already applied, we encourage you to share this opportunity with your friends, classmates, and community. Let’s work together to make sure every deserving student has a chance to succeed.
To the vibrant and resilient LGBTQ+ community, the California vs. Hate Campaign stands firmly by your side. Your courage in the face of adversity and your unwavering authenticity inspire us all.
Together, we fight against hate and discrimination to ensure a world where love and acceptance triumph over prejudice. Your voices, your stories, and your experiences are essential in this journey.
Let’s continue to support each other, celebrate our diversity, and create a California where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is free to live and love openly and proudly.
Stanislaus County, California 2025 election results show live vote count
2025 OFFICERS
WENDY BYRD
PRESIDENT
CONSTANCE GUSTAFSON
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
SAMUEL WHITE-EPHRAIM
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
ERIC JACKSON
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Gladys Williams
Sherri Nelson
Christopher Nelson
Juanita Gaillard
Jacquelyn Forte
Michael Baldwin
Sharon Froba
Angela Dallas
Terry Johnson
SECRETARY
GIA SMITH
TREASURER
WE THANK THE EXECUTIVE MEMBERS FOR THEIR TIRELESS ENERGY AND HARD WORK TOWARD IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS!
VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED!
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOW
“Black residents experienced disproportionate use of force by Modesto police over past decade.”
Over the past decade, the Modesto Police Department has used force against Black individuals at a rate of more than four times greater than their population, according to police data.
“Reporting on disproportionate uses of force against people of color makes clear what communities of color across California and the country have long known. Police violence is a tool of racial oppression,” said....
"If you feel you have been treated unfairly by the Modesto Police Department, fill out an NAACP COMPLAINT FORM"
NAACP response letter to the Modesto Bee article on disproportionate use of force.
Modesto City Council approves Forward Together recommendation to establish a Citizens Review Board with an Independent Auditor to help improve relations between the community and law enforcement. Read More at ModBee...
