Our Mission
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination.
Objectives
The following statement of objectives is found on the first page of the NAACP Constitution – the principal objectives of the Association shall be:
• To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens.
• To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.
• To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
• To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights.
• To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination.
• To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.
Our History
The Ames Branch of the NAACP was incorporated in 1993. The purposes and aims of the Branch are consistent with the National Association – to improve the political, educational, social and economic status of minority groups; to eliminate racial prejudice; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; and to take lawful action to secure its elimination, consistent with the efforts of the national organization and in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation of the Association, its Constitution and By-Laws and as directed by the National Board of Directors.
The first monthly meeting of the Ames Branch of the NAACP was held on November 29, 1994. The application for charter was presented at this meeting and the first slate of officers was elected. Officers included Edna Y. Clinton, President: Dr. George A. Jackson, First Vice President; Myron Samuels, Secretary; and Shirley Barnes, Treasurer. Dr. Jackson became president in later part of 1995.
The first Freedom Fund Banquet was held in 1996, and the event was held yearly through 2009. During the Banquets, the organization brought in nationally-recognized speakers and awarded student scholarships. The organization was reactivated in 2011, and the Freedom Fund Banquet was reinstituted in 2012 under Edna Y. Clinton, who serves as President. During her tenure the Branch has been active in the state and community, hosting conversations between community members and the local police, being involved with the local school district, meeting with the Governor as it relates to prisoners and voting rights, and hosting events in cooperation with the Ames Public Library including the annual Juneteenth Celebration at Bandshell Park.
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