Sacramento NAACP’s future uncertain after revelations of alleged financial misconduct
The immediate future of the Sacramento chapter of the NAACP is an open question days after revelations of alleged financial misconduct removed top brass last week.
Local and national NAACP leaders were mute Monday following the suspensions of Greater Sacramento chapter president Betty Williams and five branch executives for alleged financial improprieties on Oct. 23.
Ardell La’Mond Harrison, the Sacramento chapter’s first vice president, has assumed the role of interim president with the temporary ouster of Williams, a chapter spokeswoman said.
Harrison, a local real estate agent and businessman, previously served as the chapter’s second vice president and its housing chair before winning election to the vice president’s seat in 2022.
The suspensions come after national NAACP staffers flagged the local branch’s annual financial report submitted in April.
The allegations of financial impropriety were described as “extensive” in information obtained by The Sacramento Bee. This led to the immediate suspension of Williams, the lauded civil rights advocate and longest-serving president in the history of the Sacramento NAACP. Five other executive officers, including treasurers, a second vice president and committee chairs, are also suspended.
Suspended leader claims state election interference
The suspensions came days before the NAACP’s California/Hawaii statewide convention and elections, which concluded Sunday. Local members denied the allegations late last week and claimed election-eve interference.
Velma Sykes, a chapter second vice president and one of the officials ensnared by the allegations, said Williams was planning a campaign challenge to state chapter president Rick Callender and a bid to delay the election. Both were unsuccessful.
Information obtained by The Bee suggests that the allegations rendered an election bid impossible because Williams and the local chapter were not in good standing as of the spring.
Williams and Sacramento NAACP leaders were first made aware of the allegations against them in May. The alleged improprieties, uncovered by legal staffers at the NAACP’s national headquarters, were forwarded to national president Derrick Johnson with the recommendation to suspend Williams and executive officers.
Johnson, in his Oct. 23 letter removing Williams, alleges the longtime chapter leader of having “engaged in financial impropriety benefiting you or your business.” This is in violation of NAACP bylaws. Johnson added that “action is necessary to prevent or mitigate that harm.”
The nature of the allegations has not yet been disclosed by the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. A hearing with national officials on the charges awaits.
Multiple attempts to gain comment from national NAACP leaders have been unsuccessful. Williams, likewise, has not responded to requests for comment through chapter representatives.
