Legendary San Francisco pastor, Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, to receive NAACP’s Spingarn Medal at 117th National Convention in Chicago

June 4, 2026

The NAACP has announced that Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, a civil rights leader and longtime pastor, will receive the prestigious 111th Spingarn Medal at the organization's national convention in Chicago this July.

Who is affected

Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown (medal recipient)
Third Baptist Church of San Francisco (his congregation for nearly 50 years)
Students supported through the Dr. Amos C. Brown Fellowship
Black communities affected by his advocacy work on economic justice, educational equity, and criminal justice reform
Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III (presenting the medal as Brown's mentee and friend)
Thousands of activists and leaders expected to attend the NAACP 117th National Convention

What action is being taken

The NAACP is honoring Rev. Dr. Brown with the 111th Spingarn Medal
The NAACP 117th National Convention is being convened between July 18-22 in Chicago
The Spingarn Award dinner is being held on July 22 at 7 p.m., where Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III will present the medal

Why it matters

This recognition matters because it honors over six decades of civil rights work by a contemporary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who has remained actively engaged in fighting systemic injustice. The Spingarn Medal represents the highest recognition of African American achievement and places Rev. Dr. Brown alongside historic figures who have shaped the nation's progress toward equality. His work spans critical areas including voting rights, criminal justice reform, reparations advocacy, and mentoring future generations of activists, demonstrating the ongoing nature of civil rights struggles and the importance of sustained, multigenerational leadership in advancing racial equity and social justice.

What's next

Rev. Dr. Brown will receive the Spingarn Medal at the award dinner on Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m.
The NAACP 117th National Convention will take place July 18-22 in Chicago, where thousands of activists and leaders are expected to gather
The convention will focus on mobilizing action for equity and justice under the theme "We, the People" as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint