National Action Network

“Recognition of civil rights leaders blended into a clear warning about the current state of American democracy as activists gathered Thursday in Kansas City. At Starlight Theatre, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City brought together civic leaders, activists and residents for its 68th Annual Difference Maker Awards Luncheon. Framed by the theme “Democracy Under Siege: Radical Resistance Required,” the program quickly moved beyond celebration. Speakers emphasized urgency, civic engagement, and the responsibility of both institutions and individuals to respond to what many described as a pivotal moment. The luncheon honored Bridget Williams, executive director of the Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City, for leadership in civic engagement and featured the Rev. Al Sharpton as both keynote speaker and recipient of the Civil Rights Living Legend Award. The Urban League also acknowledged the decades of local advocacy work of Gwen Grant, who will retire as president and CEO over the next year. From the outset, the event’s tone was set with stark language about national issues, including the rollback of civil rights protections and threats to democratic institutions. The message was consistent throughout the afternoon: This was not a moment for passive reflection, but for action. Williams, recognized for her role in shaping regional infrastructure policy and civic accountability, was described by Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson as a leader who “transforms civic life” rather than simply participating in it. Robinson highlighted Williams’ work across sectors, from labor and construction to public transit, as well as her role in efforts to hold elected officials accountable. In her acceptance remarks, Williams pushed back on the idea of individual recognition, emphasizing instead the collective nature of civic work. “Being a difference maker is not a job you can do alone,” she said. “It’s the long hours, the nights on the telephone, the things people don’t see.” Her comments grounded the event’s larger…”- full article via kansascity.com/news/local/art…

Rev. Al Sharpton joins NYC museum's call to stop next-door construction after Underground Railroad discovery cbsnews.com/newyork/news/a…

TONIGHT, REV. AL SHARPTON TO CONVENE HOUSTON FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR CONVERSATION ON LEADERSHIP, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY   Commissioner Rodney Ellis to Moderate Evening Featuring Bishop James Dixon, State Representative Ron Reynolds, and Deputy Ambassador Arthur Asiimwe of Rwanda, with a Tribute to the Legacy of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

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Greeting Archbishop Ronald Hicks at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon alongside Mayor Mamdani, NYC Comptroller Mark Levine, and others.

NAN’s NYC weekly Huddle forum continues to be a space where voices are heard, leadership is developed, and community comes together across generations. Join us tonight and every Monday for our weekly NAN Huddle meeting in Harlem. Doors open at 6pm and we begin promptly at 6:30pm ET. Free dinner is served, all ages are welcome. 📍 361 W. 125th Street, 1st Floor ⏰ 6:00 PM–9:00 PM Come ready to connect, learn, and grow. #NANYouthHuddle #NANHuddleMonday

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“At this week’s National Action Network Saturday Action Rally, I spoke about the tradition many of us in this movement come out of and the responsibility we have to carry it forward. I grew up in the non violent tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught to me by Rev. Jesse Jackson through Operation Breadbasket. As a teenager I saw firsthand how organizing, economic pressure, and faith were used to fight for jobs, opportunity, and dignity in our communities. That tradition taught us that progress is never handed to us. It is earned through struggle and sacrifice. When we travel to Selma each year and cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, we remember the blood that was shed there so that Americans could secure the right to vote. People like John Lewis and so many others risked everything so future generations could have the rights many now take for granted. But remembering the struggle is not enough. If we say we are somebody, then we must act like somebody. We cannot celebrate the leaders who came before us and ignore the threats we face today. Right now voting rights are under attack. Efforts like the SAVE Act and attempts to weaken the Voting Rights Act could disenfranchise millions. At the same time we see attacks on diversity programs and even attempts to erase our history from schools and universities. That is why the National Action Network Convention this April is so important. From April 8 through April 11 we will bring together leaders, scholars, activists, and people from across the country to organize for the fights ahead. This is not about selfies or autographs. It is about education, mobilization, and continuing the work of the movement. And during Women’s History Month we must also recognize the strength of Black women who carried our communities through some of the darkest chapters of American history. They held families together, raised generations of leaders, and kept faith when the odds were stacked against us. Visit National Action Network on YouTube or Facebook to watch the latest #NANSaturdayActionRally in full.” - repost @TheRevAl

Join us every Saturday at 9am ET for our weekly NAN Saturday Action Rally in Harlem, NYC.

Yesterday at New Hope Memorial Baptist Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey, with political leaders and elected officials from across the state, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, as we celebrated the 24th pastoral anniversary of my little brother and NAN Northeast Regional Director, Rev. Steffie Bartley, and his First Lady and Co-Pastor, Rev. Harriet Bartley. Congratulations and happy anniversary, Pastors. Keep doing the Lord’s work.

Preaching this morning at New Hope Memorial Baptist Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey for the 24th Pastoral Anniversary of my friend and National Action Network Northeast Regional Director, Rev. Steffie Bartley, alongside First Lady and Co-Pastor Harriet Bartley. From Psalm 37:23–24, we were reminded that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. The scripture does not say we will never fall. It says that even when we fall, we will not be utterly cast down because the Lord upholds us. Too many people are ashamed of the storms they’ve survived. But the truth is, the testimony of our struggles is proof of God’s grace. If you can stand after the storm, then you know God has ordered your steps. Rev. Bartley’s 24 years of leadership in this community show exactly that kind of faith, perseverance, and vision. Congratulations to both pastors on this milestone anniversary. You can watch the full service on The Hope Church’s Facebook page.

Congratulations to our National Action Network Senior Vice President, Ebonie Riley-Harvey on this special Women’s History Month highlight. Keep up the great work SVP. Repost from @richardafowler • WCW Caribbean Edition 🌺 Long before Haiti became the first free Black republic, Cécile Fatiman stood at the center of history. In 1791, at the legendary Bois Caïman ceremony, Fatiman helped ignite the Haitian Revolution—an uprising that would shatter slavery and colonial rule and reshape the world. Her courage reminds us that revolutions don’t just begin with armies… they begin with vision, faith, and fearless women. Today, that spirit lives on in leaders like @ebonieriley, whose work in philanthropy and advocacy is helping build power across the African diaspora. As a strategist and changemaker, she has spent her career investing in communities, supporting Black leadership, and strengthening movements that push our world forward. From the forests of Saint-Domingue to the boardrooms and movement spaces of today—Black Caribbean women continue to move history. Different centuries. Same revolutionary energy. #WCW #CaribbeanWomen #BlackWomenLead #HaitiHistory #CaribbeanExcellence

Join National Action Network this morning for the weekly NAN Saturday Action Rally at the historic Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem, New York City. 📍 In person: 140-6 West 137th Street, Harlem NYC 💻📱 Live 9–11 AM ET on NAN’s YouTube and Facebook 📺📡 10 AM ET on Impact TV and WBLS 107.5 FM radio Graphic: @supremecreativeagency #NANSaturdayActionRally #NationalActionNetwork #NANSaturdays

Last week at the National Action Network Saturday Action Rally, Rev. Malcolm Byrd, Chief Operating Officer of NAN and Senior Pastor of Mother AME Zion Church, delivered the keynote message as Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of NAN, was in Chicago helping to lay to rest his beloved mentor, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Drawing from the story of Jonah, Rev. Byrd shared a powerful message about faith in difficult seasons, reminding us that when life feels as though we have been thrown overboard, it can still be the very place where God is doing His greatest work. Watch last week’s powerful message and join us today as Rev. Sharpton returns. Gather with us in person at Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem (140 W 137th St, New York, NY 10030) or tune in live on the National Action Network’s YouTube or Facebook pages. #NANSaturdayActionRally instagram.com/reel/DV3QhVRDR…

Last week at the National Action Network Saturday Action Rally, our broadcast host and Executive Assistant to the President, Nancy Crawford helped shift the atmosphere as she welcomed the Inspirational Word from Rev. LeKenya Trollinger of the Shekinah Life Worship Center (Long Island, NY). Rev. Trollinger delivered a powerful message centered on the theme “You Shall Recover,” reminding us that faith, resilience, and trust in God can carry us through difficult seasons and help restore what has been lost. The inspiration continues today. Join us in person at the historic Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem (140 W 137th St, New York, NY 10030) or tune in live on the National Action Network’s YouTube or Facebook pages to be part of this week’s rally. instagram.com/reel/DV3KID6AF…

Our NAN Change ensemble always helps to set an atmosphere of worship at the #NANSaturdayActionRally, join us today 9-11am ET in person at Mother AME Zion (140-6 137th street) in Harlem NYC or online on our NAN YouTube/Facebook. instagram.com/reel/DV3EFozEb…

Last week marked the first Saturday of Women’s History Month in 2026, our National Action Network NYC Women’s Auxiliary invited Dr. Jessie Fields to deliver special remarks. Each March during our weekly rally, we take time to uplift the leadership, service, and impact of women in our movement. Dr. Fields helped open this year’s Women’s History Month series with powerful insight on health, community care, and the responsibility we all share to protect and strengthen our communities. The celebration continues today. Join us as we hear from another Women’s History Month speaker, and join us in wearing blue (this week’s special WHM chosen color) as we recognize the women helping to move our communities forward. You can join us in person at the historic Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem or tune in live on the National Action Network’s YouTube or Facebook pages. #WomensHistoryMonth #NANSaturdayActionRally instagram.com/reel/DV3CurOEY…

Did you tune in to the National Action Network Saturday Action Rally last Saturday? Minister Christian Matthew, NAN Youth/College President and Harlem Office Manager led our “What’s On Your Mind” segment, where members shared reflections, action alerts, community announcements, and more. Each Saturday during the 9am hour of our weekly broadcast, the mic is open during this segment. Join us in person today at the #NANSaturdayActionRally to share what’s on your mind.

Happy 94th Birthday to Ambassador Andrew Young, a giant of the civil rights movement and a bridge between the sacrifices of that era and the responsibility of our own. From organizing alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for voting rights, including the historic Selma to Montgomery marches, to serving in Congress, at the United Nations, and as Mayor of Atlanta, his life continues to reflect service and purpose. I’ve always respected him and what he represents: wisdom, strategy, and a lifelong commitment to justice. At a time when we are reflecting on Selma and underlining the legacy of my mentor, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ambassador Young’s life stands as a living reminder of the courage, discipline, and vision that moved our struggle forward. We thank you Andrew Young Andrew J. Young, we celebrate you, and we continue to lift your name with the honor you have earned. 📸: Associated Press, Getty Images, MSNBC, National Action Network, Supreme Creative Agency #HappyBirthday #AndrewYoung #March12