Cleveland NAACP Newsletter - April 2026

Letter from our President, William C. Tarter, Jr.

Hello and Happy Spring!

March was a very busy month for our Branch. March was also International Women’s History Month. We honor and thank all the women advancing the NAACP's work!

As we enter the Spring season, a time of reflection and renewal, I am writing to share several important updates and upcoming initiatives within the branch.

The May primary is the first election since the voting law changes enacted by Senate Bill 293. Now, all mail-in ballots—except in certain cases—received after Election Day will not be counted. We need your help to spread the word about these changes! Verify your voter registration, make a voting plan, and ensure your voice is heard! Additionally, the NAACP is raising awareness about the harmful impact of the SAVE Act and urging Congress to oppose it. Visit the national website for more details.

Our March general body meeting was held at Antioch and included an update from the Cleveland Police Commission. We are looking forward to our April meeting and will share more details as they are finalized. 

We continue to closely monitor the consent decree, which the NAACP Cleveland Branch has been involved with for over ten years. This consent decree is a vital part of the effort to establish constitutional policing, and as a community, we must ensure reform is implemented and sustained. The latest report from the monitoring team is available here. 

We are also excited to share that the Youth Council #3800 Kickoff meeting was very successful—more updates will be coming soon.

On the administrative side, we continue working with the National NAACP to process incoming branch memberships. Additionally, we are actively filling the Chair position for the Labor and Industry Committee and will announce an update soon.

April is recognized as Reentry Awareness Month. Our branch will partner with Cuyahoga County to support this effort, and more information will be shared in the coming weeks. We are also supporting the Cleveland 230 Initiative, sponsored by the Cleveland Public Library.

At the state level, the Ohio Conference NAACP opposes proposed ICE legislation in Columbus. Branches across the state are working to inform their local communities about these legislative developments. This also forms part of the broader National NAACP effort regarding ICE reform.

Finally, mark your calendar for the 2026 Freedom Fund Dinner on July 25th. You will not want to miss it!

Thank you for your continued commitment and support. As always, the best is yet to come.

In service,

William C. Tarter, Jr. President, NAACP Cleveland Branch

UPCOMING EVENTSNEWS & UPDATES

2026 Cleveland ACT-SO Competition

​Calling All Scholars and Artists: The Cleveland NAACP is proud to announce that the local ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competition is officially here! 

This is the premiere "Olympics of the Mind" for our youth, and we are looking for the best and brightest to represent the Greater Cleveland community.

​Whether you are a scientist, a visual artist, a performer, or a business innovator, your platform is ready.​

Registration & Project Submission Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026

​Local Competition Day: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Competition Location​: Arnold Pinkney Professional Development Building 1349 E 79th St, Cleveland, OH 44103

How to Enter: ​All participants must register and upload their project materials by the April 6th deadline to be eligible for judging on the 11th. Secure your spot today via the link below:

ACT-SO Leadership Team​

Samuel Dickerson

TiaMarshae Johnson

Register for ACT-SO >

NAACP Cleveland Branch "Cleveland Pulse"

YouTube podcast, hosted by Executive Director Edwin Hubbard, Jr., is an answer to the question of how we can help build a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.

Please subscribe and "like" every podcast you watch. The Last Line of Defense: Saving Public Education with Meryl Johnson, NAACP Cleveland Education Committee Chair describes the uphill battle in saving public education."And a Seat at the Table"

- Cleveland isn’t just where we live...it’s where we build, and Councilman Richard Starr is here to show us the blueprint.

FEATURED STANDING COMMITTEES

NAACP Cleveland Youth Council

The NAACP Cleveland Youth Council (Unit #3800) is a chapter of the NAACP's Youth & College Division dedicated to engaging young people under the age of 25 in Cleveland. The council focuses on building leadership, equity, and community impact by connecting young leaders, offering scholarship and community service opportunities, and empowering youth to find their place in the broader movement for justice and equality. The council meets every 3rd Sunday at 5:30 PM, providing a consistent space for young leaders to gather and get involved. Interested members can join at naacp.org/join, reach out via email at clevelandycnaacp@gmail.com, or follow the council on Instagram at @naacpcle_yc.

NAACP Cleveland Political Action Committee

This Committee works to educate, organize, and mobilize the community around policies and legislation that impact civil rights, safety, and equity. The committee focuses on ensuring residents understand their rights, stay informed about legislative changes, and are equipped to take action—whether through advocacy, voter engagement, or community-based organizing. Grounded in the belief that informed communities hold real power, the committee connects residents with resources, trusted leaders, and opportunities to influence decisions at the local and state level.

A recent highlight of this work was a large-scale “Know Your Rights” forum held on March 23, 2026, in partnership with local organizations and the Cleveland Police Commission. The event brought together elected officials, legal experts, and community leaders to address proposed immigration legislation and ICE enforcement, while providing practical tools like the Red Card system and clear calls to action for residents. The strong turnout—both in person and online—demonstrated the community’s urgency and engagement, reinforcing the committee’s role as a critical bridge between policy and the people most impacted.

Become a Member.

Join a Committee.

JOIN NOW >

Carry the Legacy.

Donate Now.

DONATE NOW >

For more information, please email contact@clevelandnaacp.org.

Copyright © 2026 NAACP Cleveland Branch 3176-B, All rights reserved.

Newsletter Editor: Gordon Landefeld For submissions into the Newsletter: glandefeld@gmail.com

Communications Committee Chair: Frechic Burton

Communications Committee: Jeane' Holley, Kim Johnson, Wanda Ewing, Gordon Landefeld

President – William A. Tarter, Jr.

Executive Director - Edwin Hubbard Jr. 

1st Vice President – Pamela Mason

2nd Vice President – Jamil Sanders

3rd Vice President – Jazmin Long