The NAACP strongly criticized the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action in college admissions, labeling the six-justice majority as "hate-inspired" and arguing that race remains a significant factor affecting Black Americans' lives.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson released a statement condemning the ruling, stating, "Today the Supreme Court has succumbed to the personal ideologies of an extremist minority. We refuse to let hate-fueled individuals in positions of authority reverse the progress we've fought hard to achieve. We will not tolerate the revival of discriminatory practices from America's past." He emphasized the NAACP's commitment to holding leaders and institutions responsible for fostering diversity, regardless of the Court's decision.

Johnson further argued that affirmative action is necessary because colleges, universities, and employers cannot be relied upon to implement admissions and hiring practices that genuinely embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. He asserted that race undeniably influences the identities and life experiences of Black Americans. Johnson accused the Supreme Court of deliberately ignoring the realities of racial disparities in a society still grappling with the legacy of past discrimination.

The NAACP's statement echoed sentiments expressed by Harvard University, which pledged to uphold its "essential values" following the ruling. Harvard's leadership maintained that diversity and difference are crucial for academic excellence and committed to preserving these values. They also pointed to a potential avenue for continuing to consider race in admissions, albeit in a different manner, by focusing on how an applicant's life has been shaped by their racial background. The Court's decision explicitly permits universities to consider "an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise."

The lawsuit against Harvard and the University of North Carolina was brought by Students for Fair Admissions, a student activist group. The group's 2014 lawsuit against Harvard alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, claiming that the university's admissions practices discriminated against Asian American students and failed to implement race-neutral alternatives. The North Carolina case questioned whether the university could reject non-race-based practices without demonstrating that such practices would diminish academic quality or negatively impact the benefits of campus diversity. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Students for Fair Admissions in both cases.