Monthly Archives: March 2011

Claiming Our Power in the Fight Against AIDS

Posted on 03/10/2011 | Leave a comment

AIDS Day RibbonI sat before the room dumbfounded.   Surrounding me were brilliant, beautiful, driven, and successful young women.  Each high achievers in their own right.  Each on the verge of certain success.  Yet, these young women who had originally come to my office to discuss transversing that critical, but sometimes scary path of transitioning from undergraduate education to the rest of their lives, had seemingly only one thing at the top of their minds, “Will I ever find love?” Read More

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A Diamond for the NAACP

Posted on 03/09/2011 | 3 comments

75th wedding anniversaries are traditionally commemorated with diamonds to symbolize endurance and love.

It was 75 years ago today that the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization responded to the demands of its young members by establishing the Youth and College Division.  Under the leadership of a young Juanita Jackson (Mitchell), the NAACP now provided a forum for youth to organize locally, regionally and nationally.  They chose anti-lynching and public education as their first priorities.

Since that time hundreds of thousands of young people hailing from the most obscure to the most disclosed areas of our nation have engaged in community service, social change and social justice advocacy through the NAACP Youth and College Division. Granted, many join by parental requirement or with entirely recreational or even erogenous motives.  But once they take part in the social activities, constant meetings, exhaustive committee work, seasonal and rapid response campaigns and tireless membership drives implemented by many youth councils and college chapters, even the indifferent often find a purpose greater than selfish interests. Continue reading →

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Posted in Features, Youth Empowerment