Category Archives: Youth Empowerment

A Diamond for the NAACP

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

NAACP Youth & College Division Continues to Make a Difference

“Anything is Possible”! This phrase comes to mind when I think about youth activism and involvement in 2011. Over the past several decades’ youth have consistently made change throughout the world, especially when it comes to being at the forefront of the fight for civil rights and social inequalities.

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