Mission. 

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

Vision.
We envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination. ​

National NAACP Established in 1909

Founded February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's foremost, largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization.  Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the US and the world and are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, leading grassroots campaigns for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization. 

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NAACP Racine Branch​ History

The NAACP Racine Branch was organized in ​1947.  The late George W. Bray, a lifelong resident of Racine and outstanding leader, was elected as the first President.  Other former Presidents of the Racine Branch include:

• William "Blue" Jenkins
• Corinne R. Owens
• Neaval Weaver
• Tommy Bishop
• Dale Upchurch
• Sloan Williams
• Julian Thomas
• George Stinson
• Morris Reece
• Beverly Cobb Hicks
• Michael Shields
• Gloria Rodgers
• Lawrence Terry
• Daryn D. Crenshaw
• ​George Nicks, Sr.​
• ​Dwight Mosby, Sr.
  

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Racine NAACP Branch Officers & Executive Committee

President
Maggie Cobb

Occupation: Retired
Racine Branch Offices Held: Executive Committee Member

Racine Branch Officers

• 1st Vice President - Javonna Lue
• 2nd Vice President - Natasha Mullen
  
• ​Treasurer - Walter Williams
• Secretary - Merdis Hudson
• Asst Secretary - Roz Hunter
• Asst Treasurer - Freda Barkley

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At-Large Committee Members

• Beverly Hicks
• Janet Mitchell
• George Nicks, Sr.
• Lawrence Terry, Sr.
• John Tate II
• Eric Hopkins
• Carl Fields

Branch Committees & Chairs
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• Education - Lawrence Terry
• Membership - Janet Mitchell
• Youth Advisor - Bettie Poole
• Freedom Fund- Walter Williams/Connie Cobb Madsen
• Political Action - Grace Allen
• WIN - Martha Griffin
• Economic Development - Dwight Mosby
• Religious Affairs - Dr. Daryn Crenshaw

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NAACP Strategic 21st Century Plan: Six Game Changers

In the Fall of 2011, the NAACP developed its strategic direction and set organizational goals to focus its work for the 21st century.  The six Game Changers below outline the major areas of inequality facing African Americans and are the focus of our work on a national as well as state and local level.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
A chance to live the American Dream for all

EDUCATION
A free, high-quality, public education for all

HEALTH
Health equality for all Americans including a healthy life and high quality health care

PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Equitable dispensation of justice for all

VOTING RIGHTS AND POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Protect and enhance voting rights and fair representation

EXPANDING YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT ENGAGEMENT
Expanding the presence and consciousness of youth in every aspect of the Association

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​PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE- Mount Pleasant and City of Racine Utility Dispute.  This article appeared in the Racine County Eye June 20, 2024

I recently viewed the movie, The Burial.  Inspired by true events, when a handshake deal goes sour, funeral home owner Jeremiah O'Keefe (Academy Award® winner Tommy Lee Jones) enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. Gary (Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx) to save his family business. These two unlikely characters bonded to expose corporate corruption and racial injustice.

This movie reminded me of the ongoing Utility dispute between Mount Pleasant and the City of Racine.  Mount Pleasant believes that the City of Racine is in breach of the contract to provide water to Mount Pleasant’s Electronics and Information Technology Manufacturing Zone and to serve the Foxconn project.

The Mayor of Racine believes that “the failed Foxconn deal and its empty job promises, combined with changes made to the law and the circumstances around providing water and sewer service to the region, have been devastating for the City of Racine.”

Mayor Mason further elaborated that when the Foxconn deal passed into law, it did so with the justification that it would help nearby economically disadvantaged areas with “declining population, job losses, deteriorating conditions of property… .” “There are billions of taxpayers’ dollars being invested in Mount Pleasant for the legislatively created zone. Instead of bringing the jobs promised, it’s making Racine’s economic conditions worse,” said Mayor Mason.

The Racine NAACP Branch finds Mt Pleasant’s behavior reprehensible. Racine is viewed as the 2nd worst city for Black Americans. Corporate welfare that is financed on the back of the neediest in our community is unjust.  Mount Pleasant position’s continues the status quo and perpetuates inequalities between the two communities.

There is published data that supports our position from Racine County's internal data.  This analysis exposes the inequities between the communities within Racine County.   Their analysis reported that communities such as “Elmwood Park, Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, and Wind Point together have the best County-wide outcomes for black and white residents across all six U.S. Census metrics identified in the “Worst Cities” study: Median household income, poverty, high school attainment, bachelor’s attainment, homeownership, and unemployment.  Although the number of white residents in Elmwood Park and Wind Point and black residents in Caledonia and Mount Pleasant are relatively small, the significant difference in outcomes between the City of Racine and surrounding communities indicates concentrated inequality within Eastern Racine County.  Unequal opportunities and outcomes in neighboring communities may reflect or contribute to flight out of the City of Racine.”

Specifically, the analysis revealed that Racine had the highest unemployment rate in the State for roughly a quarter century and ranked as the second worst metro area in the U.S. for African Americans.

We may have to call on Jamie Fox to fight the inequities of this out-of-date agreement that ignores the original intent of this agreement to help communities of color.  This agreement, just like the title of the movie, “The Burial” should be buried, and relegated to the trash heap of disenfranchisement and inequities.  Mount Pleasant, what is your closing argument?
 
Maggie Cobb
President Racine NAACP
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