Grow With Us
"The purpose of knowing history is so that you won’t repeat it. We’re not going back!"
Wendy Byrd
President
Funding Priorities
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Local media platforms
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Including but not limited to podcasts, print publications, blogs, radio/television programs, and digital content Media platforms that amplify under-represented voices, diverse opinions and/or provide nuanced analysis of community issues
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Projects or programs that offer participants the knowledge/skills to effectively participate in civic life, including understanding governmental processes, the rights and responsibilities of residents and engaging in public discourse
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Projects or programs that offer participants the knowledge/skills to effectively participate in civic life, including understanding governmental processes, the rights and responsibilities of residents and engaging in public discourse
Application Details
A grant cycle with $150,000 in funding will be open May 30 – June 30, 2025. Funding requests may range and must not exceed $25,000. If awarded, the award amount may vary.
Eligibility:
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Must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) status and provide written authorization confirming its willingness to act as the fiscal sponsor
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Located in Stanislaus County
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Must be a program and project within the above-stated priority areas & in operation a minimum of one year from time of applying
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Only one application per organization. Fiscal sponsors are allowed to apply on behalf of more than one program/project
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN
Educate, Celebrate, & Activate
We will not be erased!!!’
MODESTO JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 14: The King-Kennedy Memorial Center Board of Directors will celebrate Juneteenth during a “We Shall Rise” festival that includes live entertainment with Valley Rhythm Section, food vendors, games and more. 1-6 p.m. Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto. 209-568-3643.
SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY – June 14: Silver Square Lodge #66/Creators Club of Modesto offers a “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated Train Ride Back In Time” to Allensworth Historical State Park. The train departs from the Modesto Amtrak station at 7:30 a.m., and returns at 4:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food, vendors and live music, along with a guided town tour that highlights significant aspects of Black history. Train fare is $27 round trip. Calling ahead for reservations is recommended, 209-595-6966. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088708692266.
FREEDOM TRAIL WALK-A-THON – June 19: Silver Square Lodge will hold a second “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated” event with a walk, luncheon, dinner and program. The walk from 9-11 a.m. will be along the Helen White Trail in Modesto, meeting at Martin Luther King Drive and California Avenue. After the walk will be several events at Modesto Centre Plaza’s Arbor Theater, 1000 L St. A lunch will be offered noon-1 p.m. From 1-5 p.m., a youth symposium and rally will take place, featuring a tribute to Col. Allen Allensworth and Prince Hall through films, lectures, music and dancing. After the youth event, participants will receive certificates for free backpacks. A dinner and program will be held 5-6 p.m., followed by a concert featuring Darnell Robinson from 7-11 p.m. Donation for the slate of activities is $75, which will go toward student scholarships. 209-595-6966.
RIVERBANK JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 19: “A Day of Family Fun: Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom” marks another community holiday event. The day will feature activities for children, food, bands, DJs, vendors, gospel singers, cultural performances, educational exhibits, a Black business expo and community resource information. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St. 209-568-3643.
LATHROP JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 19: The Lathrop Juneteenth Heritage Committee presents its third annual event with vendors, food trucks, live music, spoken word and games for kids. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Lathrop Generations Center, 450 Spartan Way. Free, reserve at www.lathropjuneteenth.us.
Read more at: https://www.modbee.com/entertainment/article306432231.html#storylink=cpy
UPCOMING LOCAL CELEBRATED EVENTS
UPCOMING COMING EVENTS
In the heart of California’s Central Valley, the NAACP Modesto & Stanislaus County Branch continues to be a pillar of strength, unity, and advocacy for civil rights and community empowerment. Through powerful events, engaging programs, and unwavering dedication, this local branch of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization is transforming lives and cultivating hope across the region.
Upcoming Events
Have you experienced a hate incident or crime? Get support now.
We are proud to stand with California vs Hate – a non-emergency reporting program for anyone in California to report hate incidents or crimes and get connected to support services. Whether it’s a hate incident or crime, your voice matters.
Why is reporting important?
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When you report to CA vs Hate, you can get connected to support services, including legal aid, mental health support, and community assistance in your local area.
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It strengthens our community! Reporting helps raise awareness about what’s happening in our communities. When you report, you make your voice heard. Our stories matter and can help stop the normalization of hate.
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When you report a hate incident, you can help prevent future incidents.
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.
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
Stanislaus County, California 2025 election results show live vote count
“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...
