What to the average person is the NAACP. For many, these five letters are synonymous with fighting for civil rights, social justice, and equity for the Black community. As the NAACP celebrated 115 years at our National Convention in Las Vegas, NV this past July we stood proudly as members together and declared that we were, “ALL IN.” We are “ALL IN” on protecting our democracy, for fighting for our freedom, for speaking truth to power, and for growing the membership of our association.
The NAACP is a membership-based organization governed by a national constitution and bylaws, which set forth how we operate. Just like our current national election takes place on a regular predictable schedule, our NAACP units hold elections every 2 years where any member in good standing can run for office.
We learn to fight our opponents by challenging those within our own ranks
When I was accepted into the inaugural cohort of the NAACP NEXTGEN Leadership Development Program, many people assumed that it was an effort to bring young people in to take over and remove all our elders from leadership. Some people struggled with why our elders would not just “step down.”
As Frederick Douglass reminds us, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Our National President, Derrick Johnson, challenged all of us young leaders, emphasizing that leadership must be earned through willingness to fight for it and defend what we believe in, both within the NAACP and against external forces. We learned that the safest place for us to learn these important and valuable lessons were right inside of our association. We were taught not to shy away from the fight, but to embrace it and learn from it.
Intergenerational Leadership is a must
My 88-year-old Great Aunt, Alice Huffman is still on the National Board alongside youth members. This reflects the NAACP’s strength—creating space for all generations to contribute to the fight for civil rights. When the organization is functioning at its full potential every aspect of Black life is covered.
The NAACP belongs not to one person, but to its members who have the right and the obligation to make sure it is viable, not just for today but for the long term. Under my leadership as the President of the Cleveland NAACP, we strengthened the organization financially, growing our reserves from under $100,000 to over $800,000, in just four years. This success stemmed from the community’s trust, which we earned by holding organizations accountable, creating economic opportunities for Black businesses, and activating Black voters.
This Columbus NAACP election is just like our national election. We have public servants, that pay to be members of this association, who are willing to volunteer their time to fight with and for the Black community. Everyone who is stepping up to run for office, be it the current leadership of the branch, or those members who are newly running for the first time, should be applauded and encouraged. At the height of the Civil Rights movement, the Black community knew that it did not have the same economic power as the white community, but it had people power and organizations like the NAACP played a critical role in that.
We cannot be afraid of productive conflict or answering the call to lead. I’ve had the privilege to sit in rooms with the likes of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Betty Shabazz, the family of Medgar Evers and a host of other civil rights icons. They all saw a need and took action, never waiting for permission. The members of the Columbus Branch now have the opportunity to decide their future leaders, and we should all support their right to shape the direction of the NAACP.
In solidarity,
Danielle Sydnor
Danielle Sydnor is a Silver Life Member of the NAACP, former President of the NAACP Cleveland Branch, and was the inaugural President of the NAACP NEXTGEN Alumni Council.
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