NAACP of Thurston County

We envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.

What's Happening in Thurston County

Celebrating Freedom around Thurston County

Thurston County is a very special place and many organizations are working hard to ensure the community is rich and full of culture.

The NAACP of Thurston County has created a calendar of events for Juneteenth.

Enjoy the weather and treat yourself and support these local organizations as they celebrate Juneteeth:

June 12th City of Lacey Night Market 1 pm- 5 pm

5700 Lacey Boulevard SE Lacey, WA 98503

June 19th ASHHO Cultural Community Center

5757 Littlerock Rd SW #4 Tumwater, WA 98501

June 19th Growing Home Collective (G.R.u.B) 4 pm-8 pm

2016 Elliot Avenue NW Olympia, WA 98502

June 20th Fred U. Harris Lodge #70 in Conjunction with New Life Baptist Church 12 pm-3 pm

Regional Athletic Center (RAC)

8345 Steilacoom Road SE Lacey, WA 98503

June 20th The Hawk Foundation 1 pm- 5 pm

Rebecca Howard Park

911 Adams Street SE Olympia, WA 98501

Join us for our Community Appreciation and Visioning Bread & Belonging this Friday June 5th from 5:00-7:00 PM in Friendship Hall (220 Union Ave SE, Olympia). We'll be sharing updates about what we've been up to over these last few months, what we have in the works now, and come together over where we can go from here, and we'd love to see YOU! Come dream (or just eat) with us over some BBQ (vegan and veg options will be provided too!)

New Life Baptist Church in partnership with the NAACP of Thurston County and League of Women's Voters Thurston County will be hosting their 3rd Annual Community Candidate Forum. This is a great opportunity for voters to meet the candidates and ask them questions face to face. Now more than ever voters need to be informed and know who they are voting for.

Save the date!

tro Primary Candidate Forums

Date and Time

Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM

Location

Thurston Community Media

440 Yauger Way Olympia, WA 98502

About this event

Our Candidate Forums provides professional, fair, and non-partisan forums for electoral races in Thursday County. Our forums are produced by Thurston Community Media and follow a question-and-answer format with a moderator and a timer. All candidates for a position are invited, asked the same questions, and have the same amount of time to respond. The League does not support or oppose parties or candidates at any level of government

Louisiana vs. Callais Matters in Thurston County

The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais may seem distant from Thurston County at first glance. The case centers on Louisiana’s congressional voting map and whether Black voters are entitled to fair representation under the federal Voting Rights Act. But the implications of this decision extend far beyond the South. This ruling should concern every community that believes democracy works best when every voice is heard and every voter has an equal opportunity to participate.

At its core, the case challenged whether Louisiana was required to maintain a second majority-Black congressional district after courts previously found that the state’s original map likely diluted Black voting power. The Supreme Court’s decision weakens protections that have historically prevented racial discrimination in voting and redistricting. Civil rights advocates across the country warn that the ruling opens the door for states and political interests to manipulate district boundaries in ways that diminish the political influence of Black communities and other historically marginalized groups.

For residents of Thurston County, this issue is not abstract. Washington State prides itself on progressive values and civic participation, yet racial disparities in political representation and civic engagement still exist here at home. Black residents, immigrants, Indigenous communities, low-income voters, young people, and renters often face barriers to political power despite being deeply affected by public policy decisions. When the Supreme Court weakens tools designed to protect voting rights nationally, it sends a message that equal representation is negotiable.

This moment is especially significant as Thurston County continues conversations about equity, inclusion, policing, housing, education, and economic opportunity. Decisions made by elected officials shape everything from school funding and tenant protections to transportation and public safety. Communities that are underrepresented politically are more likely to see their needs overlooked. Voting rights protections are not merely legal technicalities; they are safeguards that ensure democracy reflects the people it serves.

The concerns raised by the NAACP of Thurston County are rooted in history. The Voting Rights Act was born out of decades of organizing, protest, and sacrifice by ordinary people demanding equal access to democracy. Weakening those protections risks repeating patterns that excluded Black Americans from political participation for generations. While Washington may not have the same history of voter suppression as parts of the Deep South, no community is immune from efforts that can reduce participation, discourage voters, or dilute representation.

This is also why local civic engagement matters now more than ever. Democracy is not sustained solely by courts; it is strengthened by communities that organize, educate, and participate. Thurston County has seen growing collaboration between organizations committed to civic participation and racial justice, including the NAACP of Thurston County, League of Women Voters, YWCA, Olympia Indivisible, and local faith communities such as New Life Baptist Church. These partnerships are essential because protecting democracy requires sustained local action.

The Supreme Court’s ruling should serve as a wake-up call, not a reason for despair. The response cannot be apathy or disengagement. It must be a renewed commitment to voter education, turnout, advocacy, and accountability. Thurston County residents have the opportunity to show that democracy is strongest when communities participate fully and demand fair representation for everyone.

The right to vote is one of the most powerful tools people possess. Protecting it requires vigilance at every level — national, state, and local. What happens in Louisiana today can shape the future of representation everywhere tomorrow, including here in Thurston County

Press Release

NAACP Thurston County Responds to Supreme Court Ruling in Louisiana v. Callais

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2026

Contact: www.naacpthursto.org

NAACP Thurston County Branch

Larry Jefferson, President president@naacpthurson.org

Talauna Reed, 1st Vice-President firstvp@naacpthurston.org

THURSTON COUNTY, WA — In response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v.

Callais, the NAACP of Thurston County is issuing the following statement, aligning with the position of the

National NAACP.

This decision is a devastating blow to what remains of the Voting Rights Act and opens the door for

politicians to manipulate electoral systems by silencing entire communities. The Supreme Court has failed

to uphold its responsibility to protect Black voters and, in doing so, has weakened the very foundation of

our democracy. This ruling threatens to undo decades of progress secured through sacrifice, struggle,

and unwavering advocacy and sends a dangerous message that the voices of Black communities can be

diluted or disregarded without consequence.

Echoing national leadership, this Branch emphasizes the urgency of civic engagement: While this

decision represents a serious setback, it is not the end of our fight. The power of the people remains in

the ballot box. We must organize, mobilize, and ensure that our communities turn out in strong numbers

in upcoming elections to protect our rights and shape our future. The NAACP of Thurston County also

underscores concerns about the broader implications of the Court’s direction. This ruling calls into

question the integrity and independence of a (Supreme) Court that appears increasingly willing to

dismantle long-standing civil rights protections. It disregards both legal precedent and the lived realities of

communities that have historically been denied equal access to democracy.

We will not stand by while efforts are made to silence Black voices and erode our standing as equal

participants in this democracy. This is a moment for action—not apathy. The NAACP of Thurston County

remains committed to advocacy, education, and mobilization to ensure that every voice is heard and

every vote is protected. We will strengthen our partnerships with other organizations such as the New Life

Baptist Church, YWCA of Olympia, League of Women Voters, and Olympia Indivisible, and work

collectively to increase civic engagement.

Please exercise your right to vote!

Sincerely,

Larry Jefferson, President

NAACP of Thurston County

General Membership Meetings

Our General Membership Meetings are currently held on the last Saturday of the Month at the YWCA Friendship Hall located at 220 Union Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 11 am - 1 pm.

Who Can Vote in Washington State

To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be:

A citizen of the United States
A resident of Washington state
At least 18 years old
- If you are 16 or 17, you can sign up as a Future Voter and be automatically registered to vote when you qualify
Not disqualified from voting due to a court order
Not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for a Washington felony conviction
Not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction

YOU CAN VOTE IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION!!!!

It's easy and secure to register online, by mail with a paper form, or at a county elections office. Check your registration at VoteWA.gov.

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.

There are many more Black women who have shaped the trajectory of Thurston County over the years. We will be highlighting the stories of these Black women and many more as we head into Black Women's History Month in April!!!

1st Black Women to ..... In Thurston County

Top: Dr. Thelma Jackson - First Black Woman on the North Thurston School Board, Talauna Reed - First Black woman/person to serve on the Olympia School Board (2021-2022)

2nd Row: Angelina Jefferson - First Black woman to serve on the Tumater City Council (2021-Current), Maren Turner-First Black Woman to serve on the Lacey City Council (2026-Current), Dr. Maxine Mimms-Founder of TESC Tacoma Campus ( 1982 ),

3rd Row: Freddie (Williams) Neal- First Black faculty member in the Rochester School District, Barbara O'neill-Co-Founder of New Life Baptist Church, Barbara Clarkson-First Black, First Lady of Lacey

4th Row: Erin Jones - First Black woman to run for a statewide position in WA State, Judge Sharonda Amamillo-First Black judge in Thurston County (2020-Current)

Presenting A New Book: Blacks in Thurston County, Washington 1950 to 1975: A Community Album | The Community Foundation of South Puget SoundDr. Thelma Jackson presents a first-ever look at the history of Black life in Thurston County.

Women in the NAACP (WIN)

" Black Women have always carried the movement, WIN ensures we shape its future."

- Karen Boykin-Towns, Chair, Women in the NAACP (WIN)

Rebecca Howard Park

Olympia City Council approves Rebecca Howard Park development plan - The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) NonprofitThe Olympia City Council unanimously approved the Rebecca Howard Park development plan with the intent to move the project to ...

2026 Legislative Session has ended!

The 2026 legislative session finished last Thursday night after final votes on the operating, capital, and transportation budget bills, marking the end of a whirlwind 60-day session that had some real wins for housing justice priorities.

The successes this year were made possible by the persistence of advocates across the state who emailed, signed in pro, and testified to move bills forward and hold their lawmakers accountable. And our movement faced fierce opposition on many important bills that are still heading to the Governor for his signature!

The Millionaires Tax passed and awaits the Governor’s signature

After more than 24 hours of debate in the House and some procedural attempts to derail the concurrence process in the Senate, the Millionaires Tax proposal, SB 6346, sponsored by Senator Jamie Pederson, passed out of both chambers last week and now goes to Governor Ferguson for his signature. The Governor has said he will sign the bill.

You can thank your lawmakers who supported passage of the bill in the House using this action, and you can send thanks to Representative April Berg for her heavy lift guiding the bill through the more than 24-hour marathon debate using this action.

Once signed by the Governor, the Millionaires Tax will go into effect in 2028 and will be paid by the less than one percent of the wealthiest households in Washington. The tax will only apply to annual income over $1 million. It is estimated that the Millionaires Tax would generate $3.7 billion annually, and that money can be used to fund critical services funded out of the state general fund including public education, health care, homeless services, food security, and other essential services that Washington families rely on.

House Bill 2266 heads to the Governor!

House Bill 2266, sponsored by Representative Strom Peterson, also made it across the finish line after successfully making it through concurrence last Monday, and it now awaits the Governor’s signature. HB 2266 legalizes permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and shelter in residential zones by outlawing local ordinances and actions that delay, deny, or otherwise block these life-saving homelessness solutions.

Two other important bills passed last week that will allow local governments to use existing affordable housing funds to protect housing under attack from the Trump administration.

SB 6027, sponsored by Senator Emily Alvarado, focuses directly on flexibility for funding affordable housing and homelessness programs, and it made it through concurrence and is headed to the Governor.
HB 2442, sponsored by Representative April Berg, has a similar focus on affordable housing and homelessness programs, as well as the opportunity for local governments to impose a new 0.01% sales tax to support services for children and families, and some of those funds can be used for shelter and for rental assistance.

You can track where each of our priority, support, and oppose bills ended the session by checking our online bill tracker.

Final budgets hold good news for housing justice priorities as well

The final operating budget includes $3 million to sustain funding for the statewide Right to Counsel program that provides legal assistance to tenants involved in eviction proceedings. The final funding package considered $1.1 million for Right to Counsel as ongoing funding, so we will need to advocate for additional funding to sustain the program at its current staffing levels next year.

The operating budget also includes $15 million to protect the grants of recipients of Continuum of Care funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to maintain permanent supportive housing across the state.

The final capital budget includes more than $197 million in additional investment in the Housing Trust Fund – which is a big investment in a supplemental budget year. This investment during a tough budget period shows the strength of our advocacy for funding affordable housing. Overall, lawmakers have invested more than $800 million for affordable housing during the current two-year budget period! Without your advocacy, there wouldn’t be the political will to make this level of investment.

NAACP launches ‘Dry ICE’ campaign to cut DHS funding | CNNCNN News Central’s Sara Sidner speaks with NAACP President Derrick Johnson about the civil rights group’s new campaign aiming to curb funding for the Department of Homeland Security until key changes are made.

Criminal Justice Committee

The criminal justice committee has met with multiple leaders in the area, and organized a Court Watch this year. Please join the Criminal Justice Committee on the Second Friday of every month at 10:00 am at Ebony & Ivory.

Education Committee

The education committee is working towards creating a “Courageous Community Conversation Forums” in each school district boundary. Email the Education Chair for more information

Donate

Join our Membership

Join or Renew Now

Recent Press Releases

January 24, 2026

For Immediate Release:

Subject: NAACP Thurston County Branch Solidarity Statement in Support of Immigrant Communities and Community Safety

The NAACP Thurston County Branch stands in unwavering solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, longtime residents, and all members of our community who are experiencing fear, grief, or uncertainty in light of deadly acts of violence occurring across the United States. These incidents—whether directed at U.S. citizens or immigrant community members—have caused real harm and deep concern, and we affirm that no one should live in fear because of who they are, where they come from, or how they choose to express themselves.

We join with local faith communities, community-based organizations, law enforcement partners, and local elected officials in affirming a shared commitment: the safety, dignity, and civil rights of every person in Thurston County matter. Our strength as a community comes from cooperation, mutual respect, and a collective refusal to allow hate, misinformation, or violence to divide us

We recognize and support community members who are choosing to respond through peaceful protest, community organizing, and mutual aid. These actions are deeply rooted in our nation’s civil rights history and are protected forms of expression. We affirm that advocating for justice, accountability, and safety—when done peacefully—is not a threat to public order, but a vital part of a healthy democracy.

At the same time, we are committed to working alongside partners to ensure that all Thurston County residents are protected from unwarranted acts of violence from any source, including hate-motivated violence, political extremism, or intimidation targeting individuals or groups. Safety and civil liberties are not competing values—they are inseparable.

The NAACP Thurston County Branch also affirms the following civil rights principles:

Every person, regardless of immigration status, race, religion, or national origin, has the right to live free from discrimination, harassment, and violence.

Peaceful protest and freedom of speech are constitutionally protected rights.

Acts of violence, threats, or intimidation—whether directed at individuals, communities, or institutions—must be condemned and addressed through lawful and just means. Community safety is strongest when built through trust, transparency, and shared responsibility.

We encourage residents to look out for one another, check in on neighbors, and seek accurate information from trusted sources. We also encourage anyone experiencing or witnessing harassment, threats, or violence to report it and seek support.

The NAACP Thurston County Branch remains committed to justice, equity, and the belief that our diversity is a source of strength—not division. Together, we can hold space for grief, demand accountability, protect civil rights, and continue the work of building a community where everyone belongs and everyone is safe.

In Solidarity and Service,

Larry Jefferson, President

Talauna Reed, 1st Vice-President

Lillian Ferraz, Secretary

Dr. Thelma Jackson, Interim Treasurer

NAACP Thurston County Branch

www.naacpthurston.org

Advancing justice, ensuring equity, and protecting civil rights for all!

TELL CONGRESS: NO New Funding for ICE

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR

Under the Trump Administration, public safety and trust have been placed on the back burner as ICE raids neighborhoods with excessive force, creating dangerous conditions and fear. ICE has been used as a tactic to traumatize families and separate communities - and that has no place in the spaces that we've built. Demand that your senator votes against expanding funding and resources for ICE, as its actions continue to harm people and their communities.

WE DEMAND:

The withdrawal of federal immunity from ICE agents
The resignation or removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
The prohibition of federal and local law enforcement cooperation
A mandate for unmasked agents while on duty to promote transparency and identification