Naacp of North Carolina

Gov. Perdue Hosts NAACP and Civil Rights Roundtable

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, State President of the NAACP, members of the State NAACP Executive Committee along with heads of progressive civil rights organizations throughout the state were hosted by Gov. Perdue in a first-of-its-kind policy discussion around issues affecting African-Americans and other minorities. The purpose of this 90-minute meeting was to articulate the NAACP'S 14-Point Agenda on education, economics, health, labor, criminal justice, housing, etc., which is supported by 85 statewide organizations and to make specific recommendations on the administration of the Stimulus Plan to ensure that it meets Title VI requirements for contracts in the use of federal funds in an effort to make all North Carolina more prosperous. The 14-point agenda can be found on the Internet at www.hkonj.com.

Statewide Energy Efficiency Program Supported by NAACP

Legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly to create the NC SAVES ENERGY program, that backers say will lower energy bills, protect customers'  by eliminating the need for new power plant construction and the resulting costs, create thousands of green jobs, and help protect North Carolina's environment by reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions -- all without impacting the strained state budget. With the grassroots backing of the NC NAACP and over 30 consumer, faith, social justice, senior citizen and environmental nonprofits, legislative sponsors from across the state introduced, House Bill 1050 in the state House of Representatives.  Lead sponsor for the bill is Rep. Dan Blue of Raleigh. Other prime sponsors include Rep. Joe Tolson of Pinetops, Rep. Rick Glazier of Fayetteville, and Rep. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro. 

Statement By NC NAACP President William J. Barber II on the Inauguration of Barack Obama As First African American President

Statement by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the NC NAACP, on President Barack Obama

"The historic victory of Barack Obama represents moral growth in America for a country that once viewed blacks as three fifths of a person and political growth for a nation that has decided to open itself up to the leadership gifts of all people. Every struggle, every tear, every endurance that brought us to this moment, which is the first step into a brand new transformational era, now seems worth it all the more. At the centennial of the NAACP’s existence, what a testimony to those who believed but never got to see this moment. And, what a gift and a responsibility for those of us who are here to see it. May we be worthy of such a gift and use it to promote a pathway towards an even more perfect union and a nation of justice for all."

In the comments section below, share your observations about President Obama, your experiences of the inauguration, and your reflections on the question that Martin Luther King Jr. asked in 1967, "Where Do We Go From Here?"

Related:

• Video of inaugural celebration (including Rev. Barber) from Goldsboro News-Argus: On a snowy January 20 in NC, when many organizations were closed, citizens still came out to watch the Obama inaugural together.
• What Will President Obama Do For Blacks? A Panel Discussion, reported by Cash Michaels
• Inaugural front pages from 50 states and abroad. http://benwikler.com/news21all.html
  

Will New Governor's Team Reflect Racial Diversity?

There is concern in the African-American community that Governor-Elect Beverly Perdue is not considering minorities for leadership roles in her administration, despite the fact that her victory was made possible by the strong support among African-Americans. WRAL reports.

Black Issues Forum Airs Panel Discussion On Study that Shows African American Population Contributes $44.7 Billion to North Carolina Economy

DURHAM --   State NAACP President, Dr. William J. Barber was one of five panelists discussing the implications of a recently released study on the impact of African Americans on the state’s economy, which  aired in January 2008 on UNC-TV, public broadcasting.

The study, performed by John D. Kasarda, Ph.D. and James H. Johnson, Ph.D. of UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, reported that North Carolina’s African American population has grown by almost a half million between 1980 and 2004, and this growth has yielded $44.7 billion to the state’s economy through purchases and taxes.  While this impact is concentrated primarily along the I-85/I-40 corridor, the black population---newcomers and returnees are represented in all 100 counties.

To download and watch part one, click. To download and watch part two, click.

Media Coverage of State Convention: 'Our Job Is to Hope Somebody'

Newspaper and television coverage of the NC NAACP Convention in Wilmington, October 11-13, 2007:

• NC NAACP Convention Vows 'No Compromise' (Wilmington Journal)
• Protecting Kids from Tobacco (press release)
• Awards Bring 3-day NAACP Event To A Close (Wilmington Star-News)
• 1898 Memorial: Labor of Love to Begin (Wilmington Star-News)
• NC NAACP Leader Pushes for Hope (Wilmington Star-News)
• NC NAACP Focuses on 1898 Riot: Leader Asks: Where Was the Church? (Wilmington Star-News)
• NC NAACP Convention Begins With Remembrance of Those Past (Wilmington Star-News)
• NAACP Offers Fresh Call for Activism (Wilmington Star-News)
• NAACP State Convention Calendar of Events (Wilmington Star-News)
• NC NAACP Convention Starts in Wilmington (WHQR, 91.3FM)
• 64th Annual NC NAACP Convention Convenes in Wilmington (Wilmington Cape Fear Coast.com)

NC NAACP Launches Campaign Against Prosecutorial Misconduct

In light of the well-documented injustices against African Americans in the legal system, the North Carolina NAACP has launched a major campaign against prosecutorial misconduct in the state. Check it out and come back often: www.ncprosecutorialmisconduct.com