NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, is one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. It was founded in 1909 to work on behalf of black people. Members of the NAACP have referred to it as The National Association, confirming NAACP's pre-eminence among organizations active in the Civil Rights Movement since its origins in the first years of the 20th century; little need was felt to specify which "national association." Its name, retained in accord with tradition, is one of the last surviving uses of the term "colored people", now generally viewed as dated and derogatory.

Organization

The NAACP's headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with additional regional offices in California, New York, Michigan, Missouri, Georgia, Texas, and Maryland. Each regional office is responsible for coordinating the efforts of state conferences in the states included in that region. Local, youth, and college chapters organize activities for individual members.

Related Topics:
Baltimore, Maryland - California - New York - Michigan - Missouri - Georgia - Texas - Maryland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The NAACP is governed nationally by a 64-member board of directors led by a chairman. The board elects one person as the president and chief executive officer for the organization; Bruce S. Gordon was selected to fill this post in 2005 following the resignation of Kweisi Mfume, who had headed the organization for nine years. Civil Rights Movement activist and former U.S. Congressman Julian Bond remains as chairman.

Related Topics:
Bruce S. Gordon - 2005 - Kweisi Mfume - Julian Bond

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Departments within the NAACP govern areas of action. Local chapters are supported by the Branch and Field Services department and the Youth and College department. The Legal Department focuses on court cases of broad application to minorities, such as systematic discrimination in employment, government, or education. The Washington, D.C. bureau is responsible for lobbying the U.S. Government; and the Education Department works to improve public education at the local, state and federal levels. The goal of the Health Division is to advance healthcare for minorities through public policy initiatives and education.

Related Topics:
Court case - Washington, D.C. - Lobbying - U.S. Government - Public education

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As of 2004, the NAACP had approximately 500,000 members.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~