Kylia Holt Leads Spokane Youth Council at NAACP Convention

NAACP Spokane President Lisa Gardner and Spokane NAACP Youth Council President Kylia Holt at the 2025 NAACP Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlotte, North Carolina - The 116th National NAACP Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, served as a pivotal gathering for members, especially for the Spokane NAACP Youth Council, led by its president, Kylia Holt. Day two of the convention highlighted critical discussions on advocacy, leadership development, and the ongoing fight for civil rights, alongside moments of cultural connection and fellowship. Lisa Gardner, President of the Spokane NAACP, met with Kylia Holt at the end of Day Two to discuss the youth's experience at the convention.

Lisa Gardner, President of the Spokane NAACP, expressed immense pride in the youth council's participation, noting, "This is Spokane's first NAACP Youth Council, and I'm so proud of you all, and I wanted you all to come to North Carolina experience this." Holt, a returning attendee from last year's convention in Las Vegas, emphasized the growth of the Spokane Youth Council. She reflected, "When we first came, it was like we were a month into the youth council, and we were still establishing what that meant for us in Spokane... But now that we have an idea of what we want for our own, we can just get to know other youth councils that align with similar ideas." This year, Holt attended orientation for youth under 25 with Anabelle Alexandre, their Vice President, while Treasurer Alsatta Bakana and advisor Priya Osborne attended advisor sessions.

A central theme echoing through the convention was "The fierce urgency of now," a call to action against persistent injustices. Gardner elaborated on the historical context, stating, "Blacks in America, we've been fighting since 1619, when we first landed in this country. It has been a fight for our freedoms. It's been a fight for our democracy, our rights to vote, our rights to be in school and educated."

Youth sessions further amplified this message, with Holt noting that speakers "definitely echoed that, and I think they've even pushed it forward." She highlighted a crucial point made to the youth: the fight for change is continuous and does not happen overnight. Referencing the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Holt relayed, "it's the work of the NAACP continues about how Rosa Parks was the secretary of the NAACP at the moment, and it wasn't just a thing of isolated incidents... It's the continuous work of other people."

A particularly striking discussion centered on an "economic attack" on the Black community. Gardner detailed insights from Congress members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who spoke about Black women disproportionately losing jobs and the elimination of DEI programs. "It's an economic attack as well on the Black community," Gardner stated, adding that this is "intentional, to really try to destroy our economic base, you're, in a sense, destroying the country."

Beyond the sessions, the convention offered cultural enrichment. Holt recounted a memorable soul food dinner with her peers: "For me, it just felt like, Oh, this is like, home." She enjoyed bonding over shared cultural experiences, such as comparing grits to a similar Haitian dish with Annabelle.

Looking ahead, Holt expressed eagerness to "diving deep into certain topics" offered in different sessions and to "creating more connections beyond just the conference." Gardner emphasized the convention's familial atmosphere, likening it to "a big family reunion" where attendees connect, reconnect, and celebrate their shared heritage.

The convention serves as a vital platform for leadership development and the passing of the torch to the next generation. As Gardner articulated to the youth, "You are going to inherit this organization, and we are 116 years of NAACP, and soon we will be passing the torch to you all." The dedicated youth and college conference provides a "testing ground" for future leaders, ensuring the organization's continued legacy in the fight for civil rights.