Author Archives: Tim Tolson

Last month’s NAACP meeting, April 10, 2017

At our regular monthly branch meeting, Monday, April 10, 2017 at 7:00 PM at the Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, in the Mary Williams Center on the first floor adjacent to the Vinegar Hill Cafe,  Dr. Martin N. Davidson, Johnson and Higgins Professor of Business Administration in the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia, gave an engaging and thought-provoking talk on the topic:Leveraging Difference in Turbulent Times:  How People Work Can Together When They Can’t Stand Each Other” .

 

Last month’s NAACP meeting, March 13, 2017

At our regular monthly branch meeting, Monday, March 13, 2017 at 7:00 PM at the Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, in the Mary Williams Center on the first floor adjacent to the Vinegar Hill Cafe,  Dr. George P. Mentore, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Virginia, gave an engaging and thought-provoking talk on the topic: “Black Resistance Where It Is Not Expected” .

 

Holly Marie Edwards

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Dear NAACP Members:

As most of you have heard by now, the NAACP has lost another “foot soldier” – Holly Marie Edwards.

Holly was a Lifetime member of the NAACP. She had served as Health Coordinator and was helpful as a participant in the Freedom Fund Banquet. Holly was nominated for and elected in November as 2nd Vice President of the Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP. She had indicated that she wanted to be involved.  We will miss Holly, not only because of her active participation, but as an NAACP foot soldier for justice and equality!

Sincerely,

Janette Boyd Martin, President
Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP

Letter from Janette Boyd Martin

Fellow NAACP Members:

As most of you are aware, after the continuing coverage in the Charlottesville Daily Progress, our re-elected President, Dr. M. Rick Turner has resigned – effective December 31, 2016.

Dr. Turner has been at the helm of the Albemarle–Charlottesville NAACP. After further reflection, he has decided that twelve years is enough as President of the local branch. During his tenure, Dr. Turner represented a sustained vigilant manner in his efforts to put forth a vision that would encompass the mission of the NAACP. His agenda has truly reflected his intent in adhering to what the organization refers to as a “foot soldier” for justice and equality. I join in with our Region 7 National Board members, Debra Brown and Don Cash in expressing our sincere appreciation for his service to the Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP as well as the Virginia State Conference NAACP.

As of January 1, 2017, in accordance to NAACP By-Laws and Constitution, I will assume the office of President of the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP. I have served the local organization as well as the Virginia State Conference NAACP in several capacities. The current climate of uncertainty signals possible challenging times for us. This transition comes at a time when many of us are engaged or occupied with other activities. It is my fervent hope that positive attention to our branch will be a focal point as we think about our Standing Committees and how members might take an interest and become involved in productive ways. Executive members will meet in order to discuss policies and goals for the branch.

So, until then, I look forward to your presence at our first meeting on January 9, 2017.

Respectfully,
Janette Boyd Martin

President’s 2016 Year-end Report

Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP (Branch #7057)
2016 Year-End Report–2016

The 2016 agenda of the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP Branch was focused and purposeful. As president, I have represented the branch throughout the year at various community events and forums speaking to issues of civil rights –at churches, at university student organization meetings, at city council meetings and in other public venues.  I've also produced  written and spoken commentary on civil rights that was published in the local Daily Progress newspaper and carried by local television and radio media. I attended the NAACP National Convention and the Virginia State Conference.

I also served on the University of Virginia Slavery Commission.

The branch's primary activities throughout the year involved assisting individuals in the community in addressing racism, discrimination and  civil rights issues,  providing information regarding important community issues, engaging in voter registration and soliciting NAACP membership.

In addition to updates on ongoing civil rights work in the community, our monthly meeting agendas included presentations on relevant and important topics such as:

Jan–.Hypertension/ Blood Pressure Health

Feb- NAACP  Founders Day Commemoration

March – Use of  DNA in Law Enforcement & the African American Community

April – Restoration of  Ex-Felons' Voting Rights in Virginia

May –  Discussion of Bryan Stevenson's  Just Mercy: Justice and Redemption

June – Special Education and Parents' Rights

July –  History of the Albemarle-Charlottesville African American Community

Aug. – Health Goals for the African American Community

Sept-Oct-Nov. Branch Election Process

During the course of the election process (Sept-Oct-Nov.), we gained over 125 members –including new members and renewals. Hopefully this increase in membership will  enhance participation and provide the branch with new opportunities to build and grow and engage in increasingly effective civil rights work in the Albemarle-Charlottesville community.

M. Rick Turner, President

Click here for PDF of the President's 2016 Year-end Report

Candidates for Offices in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP (#7057)

On November 14, 2016, the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee for 2017 to 2019 will take place at the Mary Williams Center.(Jefferson School City Center at- 233 Fourth Street, NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903)  

Polls will be open from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. In order to vote, one must be current 30 days prior to the election.  A form of identification is required.

Should a run-off election be necessary, that election shall be conducted not less than ten days after the original election.

President candidates:
  M. Rick Turner
  Karen Waters-Wicks

First Vice President candidates:
  Janette B. Martin
  Ruby Stradford-Boston

Secretary candidate:
  Lynn M. Boyd

Treasurer candidate:
  Lester Frye

At-large candidates:
  Jim Hingeley and Alexander Schuyler

 

Election of officers and at-large members of the NAACP Branch 7057 Executive committee.

Dear Member,

Please note the following General Membership meetings of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch (#7057) for the purpose of election of officers and at-large members of the executive committee.

On September 12, 2016 at the Mary Williams Center (Jefferson School City Center at- 233 Fourth Street, NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903) at the conclusion of our presentation on "Special Education and Parent's Rights", there will be an election of the Nominating Committee.  All members who are current as of 30 days prior to the meeting date may be elected to the Nominating Committee.

On October 10, 2016 at the Mary Williams Center there will be a report of the Nominating Committee, receipt of Nominations by Petition, and the election of the Election Supervisory Committee.  Members who are current as of April 1, 2016 may be nominated for office or as an at-large member of the Executive Committee.  In order to sign a nominating petition, or be elected to the Election Supervisory Committee, a member must be current as of 30 days prior to the October meeting.

On November 14, 2016, the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee will take place at the Mary Williams Center.  Polls will be open from 7pm to 8:30pm. Correction: 6:00 to 9:00 PM. In order to vote, one must be current 30 days prior to the election.  A form of identification is required.

Should a run-off election be necessary, that election shall be conducted not less than ten days after the original election.

We look forward to your participation in these activities.

Respectfully,  Lynn M. Boyd, Secretary

Click here for PDF version of this letter

Ms. Kelsey Chavers receives FEI/NAACP Scholarship Award

At the August 8, 2016 monthly meeting of the Albemarle-Charlottesville branch of the NAACP, Ms Kelsey Chavers, was awarded the FEI/NAACP Scholarship award presented by  by Dr. Rick Turner, branch President and Ms. Janette Martin, branch Vice-President.

Kelsey Chavers, a recent Albemarle High School graduate, is the recipient of the 2016 FEI/NAACP Scholarship

Ms. Kelsey Chavers, a recent Albemarle High School graduate, is the recipient of the 2016 FEI/NAACP Scholarship. Ms. Chavers is recognized for her leadership skills, community service, and outstanding academic achievement. She received an Advanced Studies Diploma and has successfully completed the rigorous requirements for the Early College Scholars Program. Ms. Chavers will attend the University Of Mary Washington where she plans to study Geography, receive a GIS certificate (Geographic Information System) and a Master’s Degree in Geospatial Analysis. Kelsey Chavers is the daughter of Lander Chavers, Jr. and Kathy Mallory-Chavers.

All those in attendance at the Albemarle-Charlottesville branch of the NAACP meeting on August 8, 2016. Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP is proud to share this special and important recognition of her accomplishment.

A man was lynched yesterday

There was a 21st century lynching yesterday. And the day before that, too.


This has to stop.

Activists created the NAACP more than a century ago to fight racialized violence.

Then, we called it "lynching." Today, we call it "police brutality," but the effect is still the same — our lives are in danger. Endangered by some of the very people who are called to protect and serve us. We are all tense, angry, devastated, and grieving.

We grieve for Alton Sterling. We grieve for Philando Castile. And we grieve with the rest of the country over the senseless loss of lives in Dallas, too — because the execution of police officers does not end the execution of black Americans, and it will not put us on the path to change.

What will put us on the path to justice is the passage of the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act (LETIA) and the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA). Radical reform of policing practices, policies, and laws at all levels must be made — immediately — because the current system is taking too many lives.

We can take small solace in the fact that the outrage over this 21st century form of lynching is not isolated to the black community. Americans of all races and ethnicities are fighting to put an end to the epidemic of violence — gun violence in particular — in this country. Now is the time to come together as one in grief, in protest, and in pursuit of real, measurable change.

As an organization, we are doing everything we can to ensure justice is served, but we can't do it alone. Stand in solidarity with your fellow activists, hand in hand with your community. Contact your elected officials to demand life-saving reforms to a broken system.

We can — and must — put an end to this together.

Cornell William Brooks
President and CEO
NAACP

Ms. Janette Martin receives her NAACP Lifetime Membership plaque

At the June 13,  2016 monthly meeting of the Albemarle-Charlottesville branch of the NAACP, Ms. Janett Martin, branch vice-president, received her NAACP Lifetime Membership Plaque, presented by Dr. Rick Turner, President.

All those in attendance at the Albemarle-Charlottesville branch of the NAACP meeting on June 13, 2016. Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP is proud to share this special and important recognition of her accomplishment.