National Action Network

National Action Network
source
Name	National Action Network
Abbreviation	NAN
Formation	1991
Founder	Al Sharpton
Type	Civil rights organization
Headquarters	New York City
Region served	United States
Leader title	President
Leader name	Al Sharpton

National Action Network is a civil rights organization founded in 1991 by Al Sharpton to advocate for racial justice, voting rights, and criminal justice reform across the United States. The organization rose to prominence through high-profile protests, legal advocacy, and coalition-building with other advocacy groups and political figures. NAN has engaged with civil rights leaders, elected officials, clergy, and community organizations to mobilize around incidents of police violence, discriminatory practices, and socioeconomic inequities.

History

NAN was established in 1991 in Harlem following mobilizations tied to incidents involving Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, and other high-profile cases that drew attention to police practices in New York City, Brooklyn, and Queens. Early alliances included connections with National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Congress of Racial Equality, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and grassroots groups in Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s NAN organized demonstrations related to cases such as the shootings of Amadou Diallo, the beating of Abner Louima, and the death of Amadou Diallo neighbors' activism; it also participated in coalitions addressing issues highlighted by events like the Rodney King unrest and the response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. In the 2010s NAN became a central organizer in protests after the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and Freddie Gray, working alongside organizations such as Black Lives Matter, Color of Change, and legal advocates connected to NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. NAN's history includes national days of action, voter registration drives tied to Presidential elections, and participation in policy debates in Albany, New York, Washington, D.C., and state capitols.

Mission and Programs

NAN's stated mission centers on achieving racial equality and justice through direct action, litigation support, voter engagement, and public education. Programmatic work has included voter registration campaigns around Midterm elections and Presidential elections, advocacy for criminal justice reform linked to state legislatures in New York State and Maryland, and initiatives addressing police accountability showcased during hearings before municipal bodies and congressional committees in Washington, D.C.. NAN conducts clergy councils drawing on leaders from African Methodist Episcopal Church, Baptist congregations, and interfaith coalitions; it also runs youth programs partnering with institutions such as Columbia University, Howard University, and community colleges in New York City. Public communications and media strategy have involved appearances on networks like CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, as well as collaborations with cultural figures including Spike Lee, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé at benefit events.

Leadership and Organization

The organization is led by founder and president Al Sharpton, who has served as a nationally visible civil rights leader, televangelist, and political organizer. NAN's governance has included a board composed of clergy, community activists, and civic leaders from cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore, Houston, and Miami. Regional chapters operate in major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, and Seattle, coordinating local actions, voter outreach, and legal referrals. NAN's staff and volunteers have interacted with policy experts from think tanks like The Brookings Institution, legal advocates from organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and elected officials including members of Congress and state legislatures.

Major Campaigns and Events

NAN has organized high-profile marches, rallies, and demonstrations such as the annual "Million Man" style mobilizations, street protests after the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Trayvon Martin, and mass actions in Washington, D.C. around Inauguration Day policies. It coordinated with groups during the response to the killing of George Floyd and joined civil rights coalitions in national days of action alongside Black Lives Matter and labor unions like the AFL–CIO. NAN has held strategy conferences and televised events involving personalities from Civil Rights Movement veterans to contemporary artists, and has engaged in litigation support in cases that reached state courts and federal district courts.

Controversies and Criticism

NAN and its leadership have faced scrutiny over fundraising practices, internal governance, and political endorsements. Allegations have drawn attention from media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Criticism has come from political figures across the spectrum, civil rights commentators, and watchdog groups including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and media watchdogs, focusing on issues like financial transparency and the use of organizational funds for events. NAN has been involved in contentious interactions with law enforcement officials and municipal administrations during protests in St. Louis, Ferguson, and other jurisdictions, provoking debate in state legislative hearings and municipal oversight reviews.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding for NAN has come from individual donors, fundraising events, ticketed galas featuring entertainers and public figures, and partnerships with civic organizations, faith-based institutions, and advocacy networks. Its fundraising activities have been reported on by outlets such as Forbes and Bloomberg, and partnerships have included collaborations with labor organizations like the Service Employees International Union and philanthropic entities familiar with civil rights grantmaking. NAN has received both private donations and proceeds from benefit concerts featuring performers and speakers from the worlds of music, film, and television, and has pursued joint campaigns with legal organizations and electoral mobilization groups during key election cycles.

Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States