Declared the most active and involved local chapter of its size in the country, the Fairfax County NAACP won the National NAACP's Thalheimer Award for the second time in six years. Karen Campblin, former branch president, will receive the award at the National NAACP's Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 14-17. A local celebration is planned later.
Nikki Zimmerman, president of the Fairfax NAACP, said that the branch does not treat the honor lightly. “It is a tribute to our late President Michelle Leete, who led our branch with distinction throughout 2023 and tragically died before her time. … We dedicate this award to her memory and pledge to continue the fight for racial equity and justice for all.”
The award period, from May 2023 to May 2024, proved important across multiple issues. Notably, the education committee led the fight to replace the reading method for young children in Fairfax County Public Schools with a phonics-based one. The Criminal Justice Committee led initiatives to hold the Fairfax County Police Department accountable for the officer shooting and killing of Timothy Johnson, an unarmed Black man suspected of shoplifting sunglasses, and develop policies to protect citizens from unnecessary police use of force. The Housing Committee championed services for individuals who are unhoused, particularly extreme heat relief and pushed the Board of Supervisors for greater funding to improve the county's stock of affordable housing. The Political Action Committee, leading its 2023 "Souls to the Polls'' campaign, created a website listing all election nominees on the ballot during the election season, which saw near-total redistricting. They also honored the recently found gravesites of formerly enslaved people in collaboration with NOVA Parks, the Religious Affairs Committee hosted a Juneteenth event at Bull Run Regional Park.
Visit Fairfax NAACP website at fairfaxnaacp.org.