NAACP NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE APPOINTS CHRISTOPHER ALEXANDER AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NEW YORK, NY (October 15, 2024) – The NAACP New York State Conference is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Alexander as Executive Director. The announcement was made last week during the NAACP New York State Conference 88th Annual Convention.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience in civil rights and advocacy to this executive director role and I am excited that he will advance the mission and vision of this NAACP New York State Conference,” said Dr. Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference. “With Chris’ leadership, our association will continue to implement strategies that protect the rights of all New Yorkers, achieve excellence in education for our young people, and drive change in policies that will have a lasting impact across New York State.”

“I congratulate Christopher Alexander on his new role as Executive Director of the New York State Conference of the NAACP. He is an outstanding choice that will help continue the important work of the NAACP right here in New York. Chris has dedicated his life to public service and I look forward to working with him in his new role,” said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

“Congratulations to the NAACP New York State Conference and Christopher Alexander for his selection as the organization’s Executive Director. I am proud to have seen firsthand how Mr. Alexander’s years of service dedicated to promoting an equitable and just society have made extraordinary impacts on New Yorkers across the State. Christopher is a great fit to serve as the Executive Director of the New York State Conference of the NAACP and I look forward to working with him and the organization to advance our common goals,” said New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

Alexander is a senior government executive, criminal justice reformer, advocate, and policy expert. He most recently served as the inaugural Executive Director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management where he was charged with the implementation and oversight of New York's cannabinoid hemp, adult-use, and medical cannabis programs. During his tenure, he was responsible for launching New York’s cannabis market that has now generated over $500 million dollars in revenue and generated over 10,000 new jobs in the State.

Alexander previously worked as a Field Director for the New York State Democratic Party, as a Legislative aide to Congress, and as a Policy Coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance where he began his work in cannabis by launching the Start SMART NY campaign to end marijuana prohibition in the state. He also worked as an Associate Counsel to the New York State Senate where he managed the work of the Cities, Codes, and Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committees providing oversight over the affairs of New York City and over New York State’s criminal justice system.

“I am honored to have been given this opportunity to continue my career of service to New Yorkers in this new capacity,” Alexander said. “The NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, has a track record of fighting for people of color and communities, more broadly, that are often left behind and left out. I share their commitment to those communities and look forward to growing the membership and advocacy footprint of this prestigious organization.”

The NAACP New York State Conference has been a vital programmatic component of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for 89 of the 115-year history of the oldest, most effective, and most respected civil rights organization in the Nation. Alexander will begin his new position on October 21.

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