By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Sacramento’s chapter of the National Action Network was awarded chapter of the year April 12 in New York.
National Action Network, founded in 1991 by Rev. Al Sharpton, is one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations with nearly 100 chapters from coast to coast.
NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people.
NAN’s Sacramento chapter was founded by Rev. Tecoy Porter in the aftermath of the death of Stephon Clark in 2018 at the hands of two Sacramento police officers in the backyard of his grandmother’s Meadowview home.
“That happened a block away from my church,” Porter told The OBSERVER.
Rev. Sharpton said at the award ceremony in New York that Sacramento is a strong chapter and is very proud of Rev. Porter’s work. “He’s put Sacramento on the map,” Sharpton said.
Sharpton thinks the Sacramento chapter is probably the most active civil rights group on the ground in Sacramento.
“Everything that happens and moves there, Rev. Porter has got to be involved. Politicians even come to him,” Sharpton said.
Rev. Porter said that since 2018, Sacramento NAN has had its hand in anything that involves civil rights, civil justice or equity and inclusion. “Our chapter was involved in the use-of-force law that came from the death of Stephon and making sure there is equity in education for Black children and to make sure they are seen,” he said. “We’ve just been consistent [in being involved] and we’ve always showed up. We keep on building each year with our Bridging the Divide annual conference.”
The sixth annual Bridging the Divide conference, scheduled May 2-4, aims to bring together community leaders, activists, and individuals passionate about creating positive change and is a pivotal gathering that brings together activists, allies, and advocates to discuss civil rights activism, social justice advocacy, and education reform.
This year’s theme, “Bridging the Divide,” aims to spotlight the efforts of individuals working tirelessly to dismantle systemic barriers and cultivate a more just and equitable society.
This year’s “Bridging the Divide” honorees are Jacqui Nguyen, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs; Rod Brewer, City of Elk Grove; Julian Canete, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Curtis Smith, Faith In the Valley; members of SEIU Local 2015; Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan; Wm. Jahmal Miller, Mercy Medical Group; OBSERVER Publisher Larry Lee; Aniyah Dubose, NAN Sacramento Youth Huddle; and Dr. Flojaune Cofer, Public Health Advocates and 2024 Sacramento mayoral candidate.