The National NAACP will not host an in-person convention this summer, like they normally would, all in an effort to continue to keep people safe from the Coronavirus. While things are looking a lot better across America in terms of the numbers of new cases of the virus going down, there’s still room for concern. The reality is there are still a lot of people who have not been vaccinated at all.
For those reasons, the 112th National NAACP Convention will be virtual this summer. Slated to unfold July 7-July 14th, they will address trending topics that include Race and Justice; Fighting racial injustice by building Black political, social, and economic power. An inclusive Economy; Mobility and a thriving Black economy Advocacy and Litigation; Fair and just representation for all by standing up for our rights in the courts and in Congress; Education Innovation; A world-class education for all students. Health and Well-Being; An inclusive culture of health and equitable social health systems. Environmental and Climate Justice; An environmental, social, and economic revolution, and Next Generation Leadership; Support for young leaders and change agents.
At the national level and the local level, the NAACP is about disrupting the status quo. The local and national leaders of the NAACP are committed to dismantling racism and disrupting inequality to create a society where all people can truly be free. Their work includes civic engagement, systemically building racial equity, and supporting policies and institutions that prioritize the urgent needs of Black people, who are most impacted by race-based discrimination. From city halls to the Supreme Court, using advocacy and litigation, they will secure civil rights for everyone.
Derrick Johnson is the National President of the NAACP, and he is encouraging people who are not members of the NAACP, particularly people from the African American community, to get a membership now. As a member, Johnson stated, “You’ll make a difference each and every day in this fight and become part of a vibrant community of people who stand for justice and equality. NAACP relies on the commitment and dedication of our members to help us stand up to racial disparities that are still too prevalent in America. Your membership allows you to work with activists and organizers in local NAACP branches. It allows you to organize marches, rallies, and direct action campaigns to bring attention to local issues under the banner of the NAACP. The membership allows you to support access to quality education, healthcare, economic opportunities. The NAACP membership allows you to advocate for laws and policies to improve your community. As a member, you can participate in voter registration efforts and get out the vote campaigns and attend national events, regional conferences, and trainings to sharpen your advocacy and leadership skills”.
For any additional questions regarding membership, you can contact the National Membership Department at members@naacpnet.org, or call 866-636-2227. If you are in Philadelphia, contact the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP by calling 215-455-1011. The Philadelphia Chapter office is located at 4458-B Germantown Avenue. You enter the office from Windrim Avenue.
The National NAACP was founded in 1909 and the Philadelphia Chapter was formed in 1912. THE NAACP VISION is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights, and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.
THE NAACP MISSION: Together with more than 2 million activists across the country, the leaders and members of the NAACP work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. To make the vision a reality, they will ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens. Achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States. Remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. Seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights. Inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and seek its elimination. Educate everyone on their constitutional rights and take all lawful action to secure the exercise of those rights, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and the NAACP Constitution.
As for the local chapter, be very clear, from August 2020 until now, the Philadelphia Chapter has continued to get work done, albeit in a more informal way, due to the pandemic. Be very clear that the President of the Philadelphia Chapter, until further notice, is still Minister Rodney Muhammad. During a chapter meeting held June 16, 2021, at the Nicetown CDC community room on Germantown Avenue, anyone who wanted to run for one of the available offices for the NAACP could be nominated.
As things turned out, only one slate of potential officers was nominated. Those individuals are as follows: Catherine (Cathy) Hicks for President, Bishop J. Louis Felton, for first Vice President, Prince Melvin Johnakin for second Vice President, Kamryn Brooks, for third Vice President, Shirley (Pumpkin) Roberts, for Secretary, Chandra Deal for Assistant Secretary and Shirley Jordan for Treasurer. No other names were nominated at that meeting. As of Friday, June 25th, Cathy Hicks shared she is still awaiting official instructions from the National NAACP office as to how to proceed. The question is when you only have one slate of officers, do you still need to have an election? Or can those nominated simply be sworn in?
Stay tuned. An answer will be coming. This much I can share. Should Catherine Hicks be sworn in as the next President of the Philadelphia Chapter, she will be the first woman President since Gladys Reese was elected right after the term of Alphonso Deal ended back in the early 1980s.
