Christopher Hort-Williams | Correspondent
N.C. State Chapter of the NAACP Working to Build a Stronger Foundation
The North Carolina State University chapter of the NAACP was initiated in 1991, but since then the chapter has gone through periods of inactivity.
22 years after its inception, the campus chapter is now in a revitalization period. Lauryn Collier agreed to serve as president of the chapter after Marshall Anthony, chairman of the Afrikan American Student Advisory Council, approached her about the status of the organization. Many students involved with the campus chapter, including Collier, are graduating seniors; the chapter is in need of leadership that can continue in the coming years.
According to Collier, NAACP will not be accepting new members so that it can focus on addressing internal needs. “There is a lot of internal structuring that needs to go on before the organization can even continue here on campus and be successful. You can’t invite people in from outside unless you know the inside is all cleaned up and ready to go.”
Last week, in her efforts to improve the chapter, Collier met with the 2012-2013 president Aleiah Miller to form a plan for the future of NAACP. Collier’s current focus is funding and recruitment of an advisor.
The organization hopes to sponsor programs as early as this fall, which are related to NAACP’s national efforts. “The purpose of the organization is to be in line with the national NAACP,” said Collier. This week members will meet and decide who will hold new leadership positions.
Formal elections are to follow in the spring of next year and are open to all students.
NAACP History
Founded in 1909, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization.
The NAACP reports to have more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world. The chapter here at the University is one of many.
The organization was one of the leading organizations during the civil rights movement.
The NAACP is known for its role in many in many initiatives throughout the civil rights movement such as the Supreme Court decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case and the 1963 March on Washington.
NAACP Role in the March on Washington
The NAACP served as a co-organizer for The March on Washington, which was also one of the organization’s largest undertakings.
Roy Wilkins, former executive secretary of the NAACP, was one of the 10 leaders who led the march in 1963 and spoke on the steps of the Lincoln memorial.
In commemoration of the 1963 March, Ben Jealous, NAACP president and CEO, spoke to thousands on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the Realize the Dream March on Saturday.
Jealous spoke about key issues that are the current focus of the organization, such as Trayvon Martin, Voting Rights, and minimum wage.
Other speakers included former chairman of the NAACP, Myrlie Evers-Williams, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and congressman John Lewis.
“Let us claim some victories right now; let us say yes, we will pass Trayvon’s law from coast to coast,” said Jealous. “Let us say, yes, we will protect the right to vote with all our might until we win the fight finally once and for all. And let us say, yes, we will raise the minimum wage because you cannot survive on $7.25.”