National Action Network (NAN) is a leading civil rights organization in the United States, founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton. The organization operates with chapters throughout the entire country, working within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda. This agenda focuses on establishing one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender. NAN’s work is structured around several key pillars, including criminal justice, jobs, corporate responsibility, voter protection, anti-violence, education, and decency. The organization’s mission is to advocate for systemic change and hold institutions accountable to the law and principles of fairness.
Criminal Justice and Equal Protection Under the Law
NAN’s criminal justice platform is centered on the principle that the right to equal justice under the law should not be conditional or based on a person’s color or economic status. Over the past two decades, NAN has been at the forefront of movements seeking to bring equality to communities that have been unfairly treated. The organization utilizes non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to level the field and ensure justice for individuals who have faced abuse of power or discrimination.
A significant focus of NAN’s criminal justice work has been on combating racial profiling, stop-and-frisk policing, and police brutality, which were once standard practices in many communities. NAN has played a pivotal role in changing this paradigm by ensuring that those who violate the law are brought to justice. This work was highlighted in high-profile cases, including the police sodomy of Abner Louima; the police killings of Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, and Ramarley Graham; and the killing of Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watchman. Through these efforts, NAN has contributed to the establishment of anti-racial profiling laws that are now on the books, directly resulting from its commitment to Dr. King’s principles and non-violent engagement. Through its advocacy, NAN continues to impact public policy and ensure that government itself is held accountable to the law.
Jobs and Economic Advocacy
NAN has actively worked on advocating at the federal, state, and city levels for job programs and the creation of jobs in both the public and private sectors. A notable event in this advocacy was on October 15, 2011, when NAN led thousands of people to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial to call attention to the country’s unemployment woes. Since then, the organization has continued to push for legislation geared toward job creation, emphasizing the importance of economic opportunity as a civil rights issue.
Corporate Responsibility and Diversity Initiatives
Corporate responsibility, inclusion, and diversity form an important part of NAN’s platform. Through the organization’s Madison Avenue Initiative, NAN has worked to ensure that Black media entities, television, radio, and marketing firms receive their fair share of advertising dollars, contracts, and procurements. NAN has also been involved in significant corporate accountability efforts, such as working with the family of Emmett Till to hold PepsiCo accountable for using a spokesperson that defamed and denigrated the legacy of Emmett Till.
One of the largest deals NAN negotiated was with the NAACP and the National Urban League, resulting in an agreement with Comcast and NBC Universal to expand current diversity initiatives. This agreement led to the creation of four Black and Latino television stations and is considered the biggest civil rights agreement in our time with major broadcasters. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) improved diversity in areas including corporate governance, employment/workforce recruitment and retention, procurement, programming, and philanthropy and community investments.
Voter Protection and Engagement
NAN works to ensure that every vote in every community across the nation is counted. The organization is leading the fight against voter suppression and voter ID laws. In 2012, NAN led a voter engagement tour to register and educate voters. A historic outcome of these efforts was that, in 2012, America’s Blacks voted at higher rates than whites, marking a significant milestone in voter participation.
Anti-Violence and Gun Control
NAN promotes an agenda of anti-violence and has been at the forefront of the movement to end gun violence. On a national level, NAN has worked for stricter gun control laws and has played a key role in organizing gun buy-back programs across the country. In communities across the United States, NAN has led the “Occupy the Corners against gun violence” movement, which includes NAN members and chapter leaders taking over the most violent corners to take back the streets with peaceful rallies and vigils. NAN leadership sits on the White House Anti-Violence task force and task forces in regions where NAN chapters are located. Reverend Sharpton and NAN have brought together leaders in government, the community, and youth groups to work persistently to stop the violence and foster positive change to end violence.
Education and Equal Opportunity
Equal education is a key civil rights issue for NAN and its president, Reverend Sharpton. The organization’s agenda focuses on improving educational opportunities for all students and closing the achievement gap for minority and underprivileged students. In May 2009, Reverend Sharpton, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with President Barack Obama in an Oval Office Summit on Education. Reverend Sharpton and NAN then engaged in a national tour with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and former Speaker Gingrich to promote this educational agenda. NAN also held a national rally on education during the 55th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. In 2012, NAN announced a partnership with Education for a Better America (EBA) to promote, sponsor, conduct, and fund activities that will build an educational system that serves the needs of students in urban communities. The mission of this partnership is to create a dialogue between policy makers, community leaders, educators, parents, and students, and to disseminate information and findings that will positively impact schools.
The Decency Initiative
The Decency Initiative was created to reduce the degrading, racially insensitive, and misogynous language and culture that has become pervasive today and to hold corporate America and the private sector equally accountable with racial sensitivity. This initiative promotes a message of anti-violence, self-respect, and pride in heritage. It also advocates against the entertainment industry’s use of capitalizing off of denigrating lyrics to describe Black culture. Through the Decency Initiative, NAN works to foster a cultural environment that respects all individuals and communities.
Membership and National Action Network’s Ministers Initiative
National Action Network’s membership is open to any person or entity that promotes a doctrine of civil rights and fairness for all people. NAN members share a commitment to civil rights and frequently mobilize in regions across the country to protect equal rights and a modern-day civil rights agenda. Members are granted access to monthly membership calls with NAN’s President and Founder Reverend Al Sharpton and NAN senior leadership.
The NAN Ministers Initiative emerged from the National Action Network’s Annual Convention in April 2006 and has evolved to include diverse ecumenical leaders within the religious community. This initiative promotes dialogue on social justice issues and the Black church, including the Black churches’ responsibility in addressing social issues that impact the lives of Black men and women. The Ministers Initiative led voter engagement tours in the last presidential election and has been active in uniting the religious community around key 21st Century civil rights issues.
Regional Structure and Community Engagement
NAN operates with chapters throughout the entire United States, ensuring a national presence and local impact. The organization is structured to allow for regional engagement and chapter-based activities. For example, NAN | West is a regional division of the National Action Network, representing a premier civil rights organization with more than 30 years of committed service and advocacy. With eight western regional chapters, NAN | West amplifies overlooked voices and drives impactful initiatives that make a real difference in communities. The organization encourages passionate individuals to join a NAN | West Chapter and become part of a dynamic community committed to justice, equality, and change. The western regional office can be contacted via email.
Conclusion
National Action Network is a multifaceted civil rights organization that addresses a wide array of social justice issues through advocacy, community organizing, and corporate engagement. From criminal justice reform and voter protection to job creation, education, and cultural decency, NAN works to promote a standard of justice and equality for all. The organization’s structure, with national and regional chapters, allows for both broad policy impact and localized community action. Membership is open to those who align with its mission, and initiatives like the Ministers Initiative and the Decency Initiative demonstrate its commitment to engaging diverse sectors of society in the fight for civil rights. Through persistent advocacy and strategic partnerships, NAN continues to influence public policy and hold institutions accountable, carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the modern era.