2026 NAACP AOWSAC State Convention Recap: Honoring Leaders Across Alaska, Oregon and Washington

NAACP AOWSAC State Convention 2026 brought every one of the conference’s 15 branches together in Portland, Oregon from September 11 to 13. Delegates, branch leaders, youth, and members from Alaska, Oregon, and Washington spent three days in business sessions, training workshops, and fellowship, closing with an Awards Luncheon that honored five leaders whose work has shaped the civil rights movement across the region.

NAACP AOWSAC State Convention Brings All 15 Branches Together

Full representation from every branch is not a given in a conference that spans three states and thousands of miles. Seeing Alaska, Oregon, and Washington in one room gave this year’s gathering a special sense of shared purpose.

The convention agenda included the annual business meeting, president’s and executive board reports, training presentations, and a dedicated youth program presentation. Branch leaders left with materials to share with their own membership back home.

Each honoree reflects a different part of what makes the NAACP work: community organizing, executive leadership, branch-level service, a lifetime of dedication, and a commitment to education. Together they represent the depth of leadership across the conference.

Workshops That Traveled Home to Alaska, Oregon and Washington

Convention training sessions were designed to be used, not just heard. One example is “Education Is a Civil Right,” a workshop led by Alaska Education Chair Roz’lyn Grady Wyche that introduced the ROOTED advocacy framework and a 30-day action plan for branches. You can read more in our feature on the ROOTED education toolkit.

Secretary Darlene Andrus has shared the full convention packet with branches, including business meeting minutes, presidents’ reports, executive board reports, training presentations, and the youth program presentation. Members who want these materials should contact their local branch.

Why the NAACP AOWSAC State Convention Matters

The Alaska Oregon Washington State Area Conference connects local branches across one of the largest geographic regions in the NAACP. Branches in Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Eugene, and beyond face different local conditions, but they share the same mission: political, educational, social, and economic equality for all. The NAACP AOWSAC State Convention is the one time each year when that network meets face to face to set priorities, elect leadership, and learn from one another.

Decisions made during the business meeting shape advocacy on voting rights, education, criminal justice, health equity, and economic opportunity across all three states. Training sessions give branch officers practical skills they can bring home, and the youth program ensures the next generation of civil rights leaders has a seat at the table. When every branch is present, as it was this year, the conference speaks with a stronger and more unified voice.

Planning for the next NAACP AOWSAC State Convention will begin soon. Members who want to help with programming, sponsorship, or volunteer roles are encouraged to connect with their branch president or the conference leadership.

The work does not end when the convention does. Thank you to every delegate, volunteer, and partner who made this year’s NAACP AOWSAC State Convention a success. To stay involved, find your local branch and explore the work of NAACP AOWSAC.

Additional Resources

• NAACP National
• NAACP Youth and College Division
• Equal Justice Initiative
• American Civil Liberties Union