Dixie Spencer was named the 2026 Distinguished Award Recipient of the Charles L. White, Jr. Leadership Award. The honor was given to Ms. Spencer during the weekend of the 80th Annual State Convention Freedom Awards Dinner, which was held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Memphis.
The award was established in 2002 in honor of Reverend Charles L. White, Jr., who was the NAACP Southeast Regional Director.
Individuals receiving the award show leadership through their dedication and commitment to the cause of civil rights by going beyond the call of duty in the quest to insure that the policies and principles of the NAACP is exemplified in their actions.
Ms. Spencer is the Bolivar Branch NAACP President, and has held the position for three terms. She has been a member of the Bolivar Branch for more than 20 years. The qualities described for the award recipients are ones Ms. Spencer exemplifies through her active engagement as president of the Bolivar Branch NAACP. She remember Mr. White as being a hard worker and serious advocate for the people.
“With me being the president of the Bolivar-Hardeman County Branch, and state conference secretary, there are plenty of meetings I have to attend. I encourage our branch members to work together and participate in what’s going on. We have voter registration drives, expungement clinics, and I am working on holding town hall meetings to not only keep people informed about what is going on in the county, but in their state, and local area. as to how things are being done,” said Ms. Spencer. “You have to have people who are willing to volunteer and be actively involved.”
Ms. Spencer accepted the award personally as well as on behalf of the other members and volunteers in the Bolivar Branch NAACP who support her.
