As the Arlington NAACP approaches its first leadership change in two years, the organization aims to build on its advocacy efforts.
On issues ranging from housing and education to voting rights and criminal-justice reform, “our branch has been leading the way,” outgoing president Michael Hemminger said at the body’s last meeting of the year, held Monday (Dec. 16).
That meeting was expected to include the installation of previously elected 2025-26 officers. But at the request of the national NAACP, local affiliates are shifting those ceremonies to January.
Hemminger noted that he had been in contact with his counterpart at the Fairfax County NAACP, and the change “was sudden news for them, as well.” But the change is administrative, rather than substantive, in nature, as elections previously had been conducted.
In January, the Rev. Dr. DeLishia Davis of Calloway United Methodist Church will be inaugurated as president of the Arlington NAACP. The civil-rights organization was founded in Arlington in 1940.
Davis is expected to deliver her remarks upon installation.
At the Dec. 16 meeting, Hemminger said he looked forward to turning over the leadership post after two years holding it.
“The work will continue in the new administration,” he said. “I cannot be more excited … to see what we do in the future.”
At times, advocacy efforts have put the organization at loggerheads with the county government. When the body’s efforts to have conditions at the Arlington County Detention Facility investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice were echoed by the county government’s Human Rights Commission, County Board members fired that panel and restricted the scope of future appointees.
Arlington NAACP leaders also took a role in advocating for Arlington’s Missing Middle housing and zoning changes. While approved by the County Board, Missing Middle (also known as Expanded Housing Options, or EHO) currently is tied up in court.
For its work on a variety of issues, the Arlington branch recently received second place in its size category in the national NAACP’s 2024 Thalheimer Awards program. Presented since 1944, the honors are bestowed on local chapters for exceptional service.
At the Dec. 16 meeting, overviews were presented of the organization’s voter-outreach efforts and its 2024 Freedom Fund Banquet.
The banquet, held on George Mason University’s Arlington campus, was “a success by all accounts,” said Karen Nightengale, who chaired it.
Despite less than a month to pull the event together, “the community rallied,” Nightengale said. The more than 220 attendees included 60 youths, and the event turned a profit that will support NAACP operations and its scholarship fund.
Voter-engagement efforts led to more than 5,000 doors knocked on and over 150 new voters registered, said Janmarie Pena, who chairs the Arlington NAACP’s political-action efforts.
“It was a really amazing effort,” Pena said of voter contacts.
In addition to Rev. Davis, officers for the two-year period beginning in January will be:
- Vice president: Rosa Dunkley
- 2nd vice president: Tia Alfred
- Secretary: Kathleen McSweeney
- Assistant treasurer: Adriana Spain
- Board members: Whytni Kernodle, Kellen MacBeth, Laura Saul Edwards and James Younger.
JD Spain, Sr., who preceded Hemminger as Arlington NAACP president, in November was elected to the Arlington County Board. He takes office Jan. 1.
