Deborah Dicks Maxwell (Photo courtesy of the NC NAACP)
The North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP has reelected Deborah Dicks Maxwell president. The term will be the third for Maxwell who in 2021 became the first woman to hold the office.
The State Conference announced the election results Sunday. Delegates from across the state cast ballots Saturday, the day the organization held its annual convention in Durham.
“I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have once again placed in me,” Maxwell said in a statement. “I hope to make you proud as we continue the fight to protect democracy, defend civil rights, and uplift our communities.”
Da’Quan Love, executive director of the state conference, said the nation is at a critical moment in its history. Strong leadership at state conferences across the country is needed to protect citizens against what he said are abuses of power by the Trump administration.
“We are at a time in history in which the president of the United States is attempting to wield unprecedented levels of executive authority to apply undue pressure to state legislatures, governors and other duly elected officials,” Love told NC Newsline.
Love noted that the 2026 midterm elections are approaching, and that the U.S. Senate race between former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, will be an important one for the country. That race could potentially flip control of the Senate in favor of Democrats.
Love said Cooper and Whatley were invited to the State Conference convention but only Cooper attended.
Here’s a list of the other State Conference officers elected Saturday:
Corine Mack was elected 1st Vice President.
Antonio Blow was elected 2nd Vice President.
Mary Degree was elected 3rd Vice President.
Demetris Holder was elected secretary.
Barbara Myers was elected assistant secretary.
Angeloe Burch Sr., was elected treasurer.
Robert Cunningham was elected assistant treasurer,