NAACP Washington PA Branch And National Headquarters

By Jeffrey Murphy


There is a rather dark history in America when it comes to the African American community. Whereas, there are also some good things which came to pass, beginning with the creation of the National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People in 1901. For, it was at that time in which a group of people came together to create a bi-racial association now known as the NAACP, an association which now host central headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland and branches around the United States including, NAACP washington pa.

The primary mission of the association is to assure that all individuals, regardless of race, have the same economic, social, educational and political equality and rights as others. Whereas, it is hoped that focusing on this mission, race-based discrimination can be eliminated in its entirety. On a National scale, the organization participates in litigation strategies, publicity and political lobbying.

While the group expanded the mission in the 20th century by considering such issues as economic development, black foreign refugees, and police misconduct, the organization retained its original title in keeping with tradition. By including the once common term, colored people, the organization is referring to anyone with African ancestry and heritage. After all, the founding members indicated the association was a bi-racial endeavor.

The association has six individual departments including the department of environmental health and justice, criminal justice, economic opportunity, education and federal advocacy. While all are part of the larger organization, each department provides a specific need to those in the community. As such, each individual can contact the department which focuses on a particular need and obtain focused attention by a professional working in that area.

The NAACP has not forgotten the African American youth of America. For, the association provides a competition over the course of a year in which youth can compete in a number of different categories. Styled after the Olympic games and known as ACT-SO, the purpose is to encourage, inspire, stimulate and motivate high school students of African American descent through different types of competition.

The competition includes 32 divisions in culinary arts, visual, performing, business, humanities and science, technology, engineering and math or STEM. To date, more than 300,000 youth have been a part of the program since it began. The purpose of ACT-SO continues to be to reward, recognize and prepare youth of African descent who display artistic and academic excellence.

The association also gives out two awards on an annual basis, these include a Spingarn Medal which is awarded for outstanding achievement in any area and an achievement in arts and entertainment award. All African Americans are eligible to compete for these awards when having met the requirements to submit an application.

Currently, the association is focused on several recent events including church burnings in the South and racists comments within the U. S. Government, including the President. In addition, the strong presence of White Supremacy which has returned since the 2016 election, while a tough challenge, is one which the association believes needs to be met head on. Even with these current issues, the association hopes that through a great deal of effort, organizing, planning, political lobbying and protests, equality for all people will some day come to pass.




About the Author: