Celebrating the life, leadership, and legacy of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes

Trailblazer. Activist. Educator. Legend. Dr. Hazel N. Dukes was all of this and more.

The NAACP community mourns the loss of “Mama Dukes,” one of our fiercest leaders who passed away at the age of 92 on March 1, 2025.

Dr. Dukes wore many hats, serving as the President of the NAACP New York State Conference, a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, and the NAACP Executive Committee. Her tireless dedication to the NAACP mission was exemplified by her role in bridging the worlds of business, government, and social causes. With an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others, Dr. Dukes worked tirelessly to help dismantle systemic injustices while inspiring action and change in New York and beyond.

Her impactful career extended into her role as President of the Hazel N. Dukes & Associates Consultant Firm, where she specialized in public policy, health, and diversity. Her influential voice brought attention to critical issues that demanded justice.
 
Dr. Dukes’s extensive educational achievements include a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University, and multiple Honorary Doctorate Degrees recognizing her distinguished career, including honors from the City University of New York Law School, Medgar Evers College, and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Dukes was an active member of the Assembly of Prayer Baptist Church, where she served as an Executive Assistant to the Pastor, a Board of Trustees member, and an Adult Sunday School teacher.

Throughout her life, she received outstanding accolades, including the 2023 Spingarn Medal, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the YWCA City of New York John La Farge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice, and The Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business Award. Her many accolades extend into her active roles in community-focused organizations like Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes’s legacy will remain a powerful inspiration to us all. She was a fearless leader who stood firm in her words and a beacon of strength in the ongoing fight for civil rights. She represented the best of who we are, and we will continue to honor her by advancing the cause she championed so passionately.
 
Rest In Power, Dr. Dukes.
Derrick Johnson
President and CEO
NAACP