The Houston chapter of the NAACP has formally put in its 2025-26 officers, ushering in a brand new period of management dedicated to addressing the important challenges dealing with Black Houstonians.
On the helm is re-elected president James Dixon, who has laid out a daring agenda centered on financial empowerment, political mobilization and legislative advocacy.
Dixon emphasised the urgency of confronting the systemic obstacles that proceed to marginalize Black communities, notably the current assaults on Variety, Fairness and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“The assault on DEI signifies that the agenda is exclusion, and it’s excluding us from wealth,” Dixon said. “Take into consideration this: In 2021, Black Individuals solely owned 4% of the nation’s wealth. And but, they are saying that’s an excessive amount of. That’s why DEI is beneath assault—we have now to grasp what the ability construction has concluded: We’re solely acceptable after we are poor.”
With this in thoughts, Dixon and his management workforce are doubling down on efforts to foster financial self-determination inside Houston’s Black neighborhood. A key precedence is equipping future generations with the instruments to navigate and problem financial and political disparities.
“We have now to be about elevating up a brand new era of freedom fighters—competent, dedicated people who will transfer the agenda of freedom ahead collaboratively,” Dixon mentioned. “We should deliver collectively numerous cultural teams as a result of we have now one future. We can not afford to be divided.”
Dixon additionally raised considerations concerning the political panorama, notably the affect of Challenge 2025, a conservative coverage blueprint that he believes threatens marginalized communities’ civil rights and financial progress.
“The Supreme Courtroom has been co-opted. There’s a majority within the Home and Senate working in opposition to our pursuits. We have now to arrange now—not only for the following presidential election, however for the midterms in two years. We should solely elect people who publicly denounce Challenge 2025 and its divisive agenda.”
Past legislative and electoral methods, Dixon underscored the significance of grassroots activism. He urged members to take to the streets, take part in advocacy efforts and stay vigilant within the battle for financial and social justice.
“We should be clear: That is about financial empowerment,” he declared. “We is not going to be passive. We’ll set up, mobilize and demand justice.”
The newly put in officers becoming a member of Dixon on this mission embrace:
Shevann Steuben, 1st Vice President
Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, 2nd Vice President
Argentina James, third Vice President
Cheryl Lawson, Secretary
Janice Weaver, Assistant Secretary
Anthony West, Treasurer
Yolanda Smith, Government Director
Dixon concluded his remarks with a robust name to motion:
“Initially, we’ve gotta acknowledge and perceive the local weather that we’re in. There have been only some legal guidelines between Blacks and the plantation. Gotta do not forget that a couple of legal guidelines modified, however all hearts didn’t change,” he mentioned. “And now that these legal guidelines are beneath assault in lots of races, it’s gonna take agitation.
“An agitator in a washer is what cleans the garments. With out agitation, we can not clear the soil of American material from the sin and scar of racism. Racism is the perpetual stain on America. And we have now the ability inside us to agitate and to cleanse it.”
Dixon says the NAACP may also attain out to the following era.
“It’s gonna take collaboration. Many teams received to return collectively and resolve it’s higher for all of us to march collectively, battle collectively, legislate collectively with a view to transfer the agenda of freedom ahead,” he mentioned. “And all younger individuals—to the rescue. Hear, we’re gonna want your brilliance, your brains, your charisma, your power, your pleasure, your enthusiasm. And we’re actually gonna want your efficiency because it pertains to expertise. Your competency because it pertains to expertise is premium on this battle.”
