The Vision

A Word From The NAACP Denver Branch President

The Vision….

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

I am pleased to welcome you to the first edition of The Vision, our Denver NAACP Newsletter! Our
newsletters will keep you informed of chapter activities and milestones, local issues affecting our families and communities and reflections on national matters that beckon our attention and engagement.

Lately, I have been reflecting on the unrelenting quest for social justice and fairness. The gains of previous generations can be forcefully challenged, or even undone if we are not informed and diligent in our efforts. Allow me to offer a few examples, from NAACP history, that occurred 50 years ago and compare them to today.

In 1967, the former chief of the NAACP legal defense, Thurgood Marshall, was sworn as the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. A jurist of his commitment acquiring even a hearing, let alone a confirmation, today would be close to impossible.

Additionally, in 1967 we saw the birth of the NAACP Image Awards, as an answer to the systemic ignoring of African American creative talents on screen, stage, and other mediums. That same year former NAACP president, Roy Wilkins, served as part of the national Kerner Commission; which worked to examine the real roots of urban disparities and social woes of that day. A half-century later, we still press Hollywood toward inclusion and equal consideration.

It is clear that the forces of greed, intolerance, and regression are bolstered and moving forcefully every day. This is not a time for us to be passive, or despondent. We must continue to push for justice and for a better future for our children and families.

I am wholeheartedly asking you to renew your commitment to stand with the NAACP, as together we can overcome the challenges of our time.

We can only overcome these challenges however, with your active support.
Enjoy the newsletter and thank you for your continued support!

Regards,
Sondra Young
President, Denver NAACP

A Word From the President Community & Membership Meeting MassMutual Life Bridge & Juneteenth Education Matters in Denver

MassMutual LifeBridge Program Joins Juneteenth

Rashad Younger, Financial Services Professional, will be assisting the community with MassMutual’s LifeBridgeSM program. LifeBridgeSM provides free, $50,000 ten-year term life insurance policies to eligible parents and legal guardians. Come see Rashad and take advantage of this free resource at the Juneteenth Music Festival on June 17th. To find out more about LifeBridgeSM and to see where the MassMutual booth will be held at Juneteenth call Rashad at 303-941-3917

Education Matters in Denver

Our Kids need our support! By Dr. Joyce Brooks

The Denver Branch of the NAACP and the State Conference NAACP has joined forces with 16 other organizations to form the Colorado Education Network. Our goal is to join together as organizations and work to secure funding that is adequate and equitable that provides equitable access for ALL Colorado students to access critical educational opportunities. Because of inadequate and inequitable funding… 1)Colorado students do not have individual attention and unable to access critical educational opportunities. 2) Colorado school districts are unable to support a highly professional teaching force, equitably available to all students. 3) Unintended inequities among districts continue to grow. 4) We are not enabling all students to graduate ready for the workforce and/or post-secondary opportunities. With students’ future in the balance, the need to address Colorado’s school funding failures is immediate indulgent. Since the NAACP is a member of the Colorado Education Network, we can speak to churches, organizations, and other groups to whom we can offer this great information and offer opportunities for them to join the network. Here are some other alarming public school education statistics in Colorado: Colorado has 900,000 students in 178 districts — 75% are rural. In 2009, Public school funding in Colorado dropped from 46% of the state budget to 38% in 2016 How we recommend you to help: Stay engaged and help us inform others by: 1. Signing up to become part of the Colorado Education Network as an individual. 2. Invite us to speak to parent organizations or other groups 3. Share our information through social media, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc.