On Wednesday, May 1, 2013 the Detroit NAACP Youth Council held its Annual elections and the new leadership is ready to start the year off right! We invite you to join us on May 15, 2013 at 6:00PM as they are sworn into office!
Executive Officers
Greg Harrison
President
Kyla Wright
1st Vice President
Myles Long
2nd Vice President
Kandace Nickleberry
2nd Vice President
Lauren Smith
Treasurer
On Wednesday April 12, 2013 the Detroit NAACP Youth Council and Host & Hostess committee joined forces to prepare for the 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. At the meeting Mrs. Genevieve Bellamy addressed the young people teaching them about the importance of the civil war and civil rights movement. Mrs. Bellamy was a starting member of the Host & Hostess Program. Additionally, the young people are preparing for their joint community service event on April 20, 2013.
The Detroit NAACP Youth Council continues to meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00P.M. at the Detroit NAACP Office (8220 Second Ave. )
This past weekend the Detroit Branch NAACP and Michigan State Conference NAACP hosted the Midwest Region III Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute (C.R.A.T.I) at Fellowship Chapel and Hope United Methodist Church. The weekend brought together NAACP adult and youth members from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The theme “Changing the Game” addressed the 5 Game Changers the NAACP will continue to focus as it moves into its second century of advocacy.
Rev. Byron Moore, Pastor of Ebenezer AME Church and Executive Committee Member of the Detroit Branch NAACP inspires the crowd to “Change the Game” at the Faith Leaders Luncheon on Thursday, March 21, 2013.
On Thursday as the conference opened members from the region joined at Fellowship Chapel as Detroit Branch NAACP Executive Committee Member and Pastor of Ebenezer AME Church, Rev. Byron Moore, served as keynote speaker for the Faith Leaders Luncheon. In his message he stated that, “It’s time to stop playing the game and change the game!” Members of the crowd applauded as he continued to encourage them to remain committed to the work and mission of the NAACP.
On Friday, the President & CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous joined the convention with a press conference and spoke at the opening plenary session. The President & CEO stood with the National Board Members, State Conference Presidents, and Executive Director Donnell White in full support of the fight against an Emergency Financial Manager coming into the City of Detroit. “The people of the City of Detroit have the right to have their voices heard, and their voices heard through their vote. It is imperative the their voting rights are restored.”
On Saturday, the Detroit NAACP Youth Council was awarded during the Youth Advocacy Luncheon. The Youth Council received an award for highest membership increase while implementing the National Campaign “Revive 25.” At the luncheon, the National Youth & College Division Director, Mr. Sammie Dow spoke to the youth, sharing the importance of service and dedication not only to the NAACP, but to people all around the world. As he addressed the crowd he recited the classic poem by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, I Have Only But A Minute, and asked how they would spend it.
Detroit NAACP Youth Council President Gregory Harrison, standing with Youth Council Members after receiving award for highest membership increase for the “Revive 25″ National Membership Campaign.
The night concluded with the Freedom Awards Banquet. At the Banquet, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony served as the Master of Ceremony with blessings from Rev. Carlyle Fielding Stewart, Pastor of Hope United Methodist Church. During the evening Councilwoman JoAnn Watson was awarded the Rosa Parks 2013 Woman of the Year Award, State Conference President Yvonne White was awarded the 2013 Julius Caesar Hope Hall of Fame Award, and National Board Member Kamilia Landrum was awarded the 2013 Youth of the Year Award.
Michigan NAACP State Conference President Ms. Yvonne White receiving the 2013 Julius Caesar Hope Hall of Fame Award presented by Ms. Barbara Bolling, President of the Indiana State Conference NAACP and Mr. George Mitchell, President of the Illinois State Conference NAACP.
National Board Member Kamilia Landrum recieving the 2013 Kelly M. Alexander Sr. Youth of the Year Award presented by Ms. Barbara Bolling, President of the Indiana State Conference NAACP and Mr. George Mitchell, President of the Illinois State Conference NAACP.
In addition to the highlighted events, NAACP members attended workshops and training’s on Communications and Digital Media, Legal Redress & Advocacy, Organizing on a Federal, State, and Local Level, Fundraising, Criminal Justice, Voting Rights, Health, Climate and Environmental Justice, and an exclusive tour of the Detroit Branch NAACP Centennial Exhibit: A Very Present Force. Next year the conference will take place in the State of Ohio.
Are you a high schooler or do you know of a high schooler between the ages of 15-19 who need community service hours? Then make sure they attend the Detroit NAACP Youth Council Meeting this Wednesday, March 20 at 6:00 P.M. to sign up to be a Host and Hostess for the 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. Not only do the young people receive community service hours for their service but we provide them with excellent customer service skills training. The Youth Council Meeting/Host and Hostess Training will be held at the Detroit Branch NAACP office located at 8220 Second Avenue. They must complete 3 trainings to receive the 80 hours of community service and be 15 by April 20. For more information please call 313-664-2406.
Members of the Detroit NAACP Youth Council end the meeting in an NAACP tradition, singing the NAACP song. The call and response verses bring much joy and energy.
On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 the Detroit NAACP Youth Council met to discuss the upcoming Regional C.R.A.T.I. hosted in the State of Michigan this year. Additionally, members talked the current testing in Detroit Public Public schools and their comfort or fears with the test. Lastly, they learned about the possible effects of an Emergency Financial Manager coming into the City of Detroit and how it could effect them as students and citizens.
The Detroit NAACP Youth Council continues to meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 6:00PM. Food and refreshments are served.
Wednesday evening the Detroit NAACP Youth Council met with excitement to celebrate Black History Month. Nearly 30 young people split into two teams to battle out who knew the most about African American History. The evening, in conjunction with the Detroit Branch NAACP Young Adult Committee, was filled with excitement as the young people displayed their knowledge. After 20 trivial questions, Team 2 prevailed.
Pictured above are Detroit NAACP Youth Council members preparing to answer the final question; Who are the founders of the NAACP?
The Detroit NAACP Youth Council continues to meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 6:00PM. Young people ages 12-18 are encouraged to join us. The next meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2013.
The NAACP will host the Annual Juneteen Celebration, June 16, 2012 at M.L. King High School. The day is filled with fun activities for families.
Beginning at 7:00AM registration will open for the Annual Sickle Cell Walk. Guests are encouraged to participate. The donation of $20 will include a free t-shirt with all profits to benefit sickle cell research. The 5K Walk/Run will begin at 8:00AM.
At 11:00AM the softball fields will be taken over by our all male softball squad to enhance team building skills between two generations of African-American men. This “Brother to Brother” competition is just in time for a Father’s Day Celebration for all to enjoy.
Additionally, the Youth and College Division will host a field filled with fun games and healthy activities for all to enjoy. The day will begin at 11:00AM to include tug a war, sack races and more. This is definitly a great way for young people to get involved and learn about the NAACP.
Come out and join us as we celebrate this fun filled with action for everyone. Contact 313-871-2087 for more information or check out our facebook group Sickle Cell Walk / Juneteenth Celebration.
On April 17th, 2012 the Detroit NAACP Youth Council held their bi-weekly meeting. During the meeting, Antashe Howard gave a report on the conference call held on April 16th, 2012 at 7:30pm. The body passed a motion to have members of the juvenile justice committee write a proposal in support of changing the “Stand your Ground” law in Florida.
The youth council also discussed their participation in the event Stops, Cops and Americas Addiction to Incarceration scheduled for May 5, 2012. That Saturday, the Thurgood Marshall Social Justice Advocacy Project of the Detroit Branch NAACP will present a special national forum “Stops, Cops, and America’s Addiction to Incarceration.” This forum will be held at the COBO Convention Center from 10:00am-1:00pm.
The forum will have many special guests such as: the Office of the US Attorney for the Eastern District headed by Barbara McQuade, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward Ewell, the Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police, Detroit Public Schools, NAACP Youth Council, Real Times Media and a host of others. They will be focusing on the topics of Know Your Rights, Traffic Stops, Street Stops, and Domestic Disputes. Additionally they will focus on why America has the world’s highest incarceration rate in the state of Michigan and the highest rate in the United States. We invite middle and high school students for this free event.
The next Youth Council meeting will be held on May 2, 2012 at the Detroit Branch NAACP office at 6:00 P.M. Come join us and bring a friend!
Submitted by: Naudia Harrison 11th grader at West Bloomfield High School & Detroit Youth Council Member
The Detroit NAACP Youth Council held their bi-weekly membership meeting. During the meeting, members who participated in the Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute (CRATI) reported on the workshops they attended while in Kentucky. Those workshops included: Economic Empowerment, Fundraising, Education, Health and Leadership. After the CRATI report, Assistant Secretary, Rajni-Anne Jackson provided the members with a Political Education report that outlined the voter registration goals of the Detroit Branch NAACP. In our next meeting, members will decide how many voters they will register in addition to discussing ways to increase voter turnout among high school students that are 18 years of age.
In addition to debriefing CRATI and discussing voter registration, we also discussed the following:
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the upcoming elections for 2012-2013 officers. Elections will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 8220 Second Ave. Detroit, MI 48202. Members who are current on their memberships 30-days before the election date are eligible to run for office. Those members who are not eligible 30-day prior to the election are unable to run for an office but they are still eligible to vote.
Next Youth Council meeting will be held on April 18, 2012 at the Detroit Branch NAACP office (8220 Second Ave. Detroit, MI) at 6:00 P.M. So, come join us and bring a friend!
Submitted by: Naudia Harrison, 11th grader at West Bloomfield High School and Detroit NAACP Youth Council Member
Saturday, March 31, 2012- The Detroit NAACP Youth Council and Advisor Indira Pierce stand with Tobias Q. Brown keynote speaker at the Youth Luncheon during the NAACP Midwest Civil Rights and Training Institute
Could the death of Trayvon Martin and many other young African-Americans been prevented with a check mark on an election ballot?
While participating in the 2012 NAACP Midwest Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute, members of the Detroit NAACP Youth Council began connecting the dots of how redistricting and economic, educational and judicial inequities within our communities can be impacted by the power of voting.
With social networking sites like twitter and facebook connecting millions of people it is important the NAACP uses these vehicles to spread our message. Above members of the Detroit NAACP Youth Council learned how to use these social networking sites to address issues that plague our communities and promoting voter registration.
After the morning workshops, Youth Council members heard from Tobias Q. Brown during the Youth and College Advocacy Luncheon. Mr. Brown provided principles for students that could be put into action today! As Mr. Brown stated, “your passion is contagious!” This discussion was encouraging, enlightening, inspirational and very informative.
For more information about the Detroit NAACP Youth Council please join us every first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. We meet at the Detroit Branch NAACP located at 8220 Second Ave. Detroit, MI. Call 313-871-2087 for more information.