The Seattle King County Branch of the NAACP has announced the recent election of Hayward Evans as the organization’s new president, ushering in a renewed focus on community engagement, organizational structure, and civil rights advocacy throughout King County.
Evans, a longtime community advocate with leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, officially assumed the role following the branch’s recent officer transition and swearing-in process. Evans will lead the chapter alongside a newly elected leadership team focused on strengthening the organization’s presence and impact across the region.
“We are entering a critical period where civil rights, voting rights, housing equity, educational opportunity, and economic justice are facing significant challenges, making these issues increasingly urgent within our communities,” Evans said. “The NAACP must remain active, organized, vigilant, and fully engaged at the local level to protect and advance the rights and opportunities of the people we serve.”
As part of the organization’s strategic direction moving forward, Evans said the chapter plans to implement a district-based leadership structure designed to improve representation and responsiveness across King County.
Under the proposed model, the county would be divided into Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest, and Southeast districts, each supported by local leadership teams and standing committees focused on issues including education, criminal justice, housing, health, labor, and political action.
Evans also identified strengthening committee engagement, improving organizational accountability, increasing youth involvement, and expanding partnerships with faith institutions, labor organizations, and community groups among the chapter’s top priorities.
The Seattle King County NAACP is also expected to continue preparations for the upcoming NAACP National Convention this summer while increasing local outreach and community engagement efforts throughout 2026.
Evans said the organization’s long-standing mission remains central to the chapter’s work moving forward.
“The mission of the NAACP remains as relevant today as it was over 100 years ago,” Evans said. “Our responsibility is to continue advancing equal justice under the law while building stronger pathways of opportunity and advocacy for the communities we serve.”
