At a press conference in Chicago, Illinois, NAACP leaders welcomed Governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to announce a 2-year partnership bringing the NAACP National Convention to Chicago in 2026. The announcement comes as thousands of Black Americans gather in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, where Kamala Harris is poised to become the first Black woman to receive the Presidential nomination from a major political party.
NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, shared the following statement:
"The NAACP is proud to partner with the Illinois State Conference, state and local leaders, and community partners to bring the nation's largest civil rights organization to Chicago. Being home to one of the largest Black populations in America, we're confident that our attendees will feel at home. As we celebrate a pivotal moment in Black history this week, we remain focused on our mission to advance Black culture and support the Black community. Chicago sits at the intersection of Black history, and Black future. We're excited to be here today, embarking on a partnership to bring the largest nationwide cohort of Black advocates to the Windy City."
The NAACP's first national convention in Chicago was in June 1926, a time when the civil rights movement was working to impart much-needed change for the Black community. A century later, the NAACP will return to the city in the Summer of 2026 with the same vision in mind – to galvanize and empower Black America. We are proud to partner with Choose Chicago, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), owners of McCormick Place.
"100 years after the first NAACP Conference took place in Chicago, I couldn't be more proud to welcome them back in 2026 for what I'm sure will be the best conference yet,"said Governor JB Pritzker. "Chicago's Black community carries a storied history and an important place in the legacy of culture, activism, and advancement, and the NAACP Convention will be an opportunity to show off the best of Chicago and Illinois while also supporting the ongoing fight for racial justice."
"Chicago is proud to welcome the NAACP back to Chicago in 2026 and we cannot wait to showcase the best of our city to thousands of attendees," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "As a city rooted in Black history and committed to carrying forward the values of the NAACP in all that we do, there is no better place than Chicago for this historic event. I want to thank the NAACP for choosing Chicago as its home for the 2026 National Convention and I look forward to working together to deliver an incredible Chicago experience."