Launching Soon

Derrick Johnson has served as the president and CEO of the NAACP since October 2017, l

eading numerous initiatives to advance racial justice and equity.

Background and Education

Derrick Johnson was born in Detroit and attended Tougaloo College in Mississippi, where he de

veloped a strong foundation in civil rights advocacy. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the S

outh Texas College of Law. Johnson has a rich history of leadership within the NAACP, having 

previously served as the president of the Mississippi State Conference and as vice chairman of th

e National Board of Directors. 

Leadership and Initiatives

Since taking office, Johnson has been instrumental in guiding the NAACP through a period of rei

nvigoration. Some of his notable initiatives include:



NAACP Capital: Launched a fund aimed at achieving equity and social inclusion for Bla

ck communities.



"We Are Done Dying" Campaign: This initiative highlighted systemic inequities in Am

erican healthcare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.



Jamestown to Jamestown Partnership: Commemorated the 400th anniversary of the ar

rival of enslaved Africans in America, emphasizing the historical context of racial injustic

e. 

Advocacy and Impact

Under Johnson's leadership, the NAACP has taken a strong stance on various civil rights issues, 

advocating for policies that promote racial equity. He has called for a Cabinet-

level position dedicated to racial justice, which led to President Biden signing an Executive Orde

r aimed at eliminating systemic racial barriers. Johnson's work has positioned him as a prominent

 figure in the ongoing fight for civil rights in the United States, making significant contributions t

o the discourse on racial justice and equality. 

Derrick Johnson continues to be a leading voice in civil rights, advocating for the rights and welf

are of African Americans and all marginalized communities across the nation.

Catherine Hicks is the current President of the NAACP Philadelphia Branch and has been the

President since elected in 2021. Cathy has been an active member of the NAACP for more

than three decades, and during the time that J. Wyatt Mondesire was president of the local

branch, (for 17 years), she worked very closely under his leadership. When Modesire made

transition in ________, Rodeny Muhammad became the next President of the NAACP

Philadelphia Branch. Upon Rodney Muhammad’s resignation in ______ Cathy Hicks stepped up

and ran for president and won. Cathy Hicks is also the Publisher and Co-Owner of the

Philadelphia Sunday Sun Newspaper. Prior to operating the Sunday Sun Newspaper Cathy was a

public relations director for the office of Philadelphia Sheriff John Green for a number of years.

Cathy also had her hand in marketing and advertising and is a seasoned professional in

communications strategies, development and branding.