At our Feb
ruary 8, 2016 branch meeting, Dr. Robert (Bob) Gest III, and Ms. Shelley Sass led a book discussion on Bryan Stevenson’s book, Just Mercy: A story of justice and redemption. Their summary is available by clicking here.
As part of the 2016 Virginia Book festival, you will have the opportunity to see and hear the Bryan Stevenson at the Paramount Theater on March 19 as he speaks about his experiences as a social justice lawyer. Click here for details.
Walking While Black Film’s First Two Licensees
Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is the Answer
New Harvest Ministries in Baltimore, MD (Bishop Marcus Johnson) and the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library in Charlottesville, VA (referred by the Albemarle/Charlottesville NAACP) have become the first two organizations in the world to license the upcoming documentary film "Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is the Answer" (www.walkingwhileblackthemovie.com). As pre-completion financial supporters, their organization names will roll in the credits of the film and they will receive other benefits such as filmmakers attending one of their screenings and participating in a Q&A.
This is an important milestone for the development of a film that is offering a much-needed solution to racial profiling.
Pre-completion licensees are literally helping to get the film made. Funds raised from these early-adopters will go towards covering production and development expenses. We have a deadline to raise $7,500 by 3/1/16 to cover expenses for a 3/18-23 shoot in Baltimore and Washington. If we shoot in March, we anticipate completing the film before the November Presidential election. That would be a huge win since racial equality is a major campaign issue. If we miss that deadline, we'll have to shoot the film in November, which means completing the film in mid-2017. The difference between the two completion dates is immeasurable.
Organizations that license the film by 3/1/16 will receive the license for only $295 per year (a $200 discount each year) including access to all of the online educational materials we create to accompany the film. A license grants an organization the right to screen the film at its location as many times as it likes. If viewers are charged $5 for the screening and a discussion, the organization only needs 59 viewers to recoup the $295. In a classroom setting, a mere 1 or two screenings of the film should make the film pay for itself. The organization can then use any profits it generates from screenings and workshops to further their own human rights programming. It's a great investment for any organization that is committed to helping end racial profiling through education that leads to changes in hearts.
The licensing agreement for the Walking While Black documentary film is attached. This agreement provides the framework for how an organization (ministry, law enforcement agency, human rights nonprofit, school, library, company, etc.) can use the film as a tool to transform relationships between peace officers and the rest of the community through the truly collaborative community policing model of L.O.V.E. (Learn, Open your heart, Volunteer yourself in service and Empower others to do the same).
Teamwork makes the dream work. We have a lot of work to do to realize the dream of racial equality in America. Encourage organizations you're involved with to secure a license by 3/1 and together we'll make this film, and the dream of racial equality, a reality! We only need 26 licensees by 3/1 to enable us to shoot in March and 85 licensees nationwide total for us to complete the production and editing of a film that can provide a positive benefit to millions of people nationwide. We all know that racial profiling makes America weaker. Here's your chance to make America greater.
Join us – by licensing (see below) or joining the fundraising campaign by clicking here.
Secure a license in two easy steps:
1. Fill out the attached form (click here to download), scan and return it to me via email.
2. Visit www.walkingwhileblackthemovie.com, press the "Donate Now" button and select the "Licensee" option to pay the $295 fee.
My best,
A.J. Ali
Director & Executive Producer
Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer
323-577-5976 or 443-463-5009
www.ontheteewithajali.com
www.walkingwhileblackthemovie.com
President’s 2015 End of Year Report
M. Rick Turner
President’s End of Year Report – 2015
NAACP Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch (#7057)
M. Rick Turner
The callous and apparently racially motivated violation of black lives –particularly those of black men– sparked new energy in the planning of our monthly meetings. During the year we focused much of our attention on this critical issue as well as on community/police relations, affordable housing, and on educational and health disparities in the African-American community. Guest speakers were invited to address these topics at our branch meetings and our membership was encouraged to participate in community forums and programs on related issues. As the premier civil rights organization in our community, we continue to take our responsibility seriously. The community counts on us to remain consistently vigilant, to speak up on issues of injustice and discrimination, and to challenge and defend those who, for whatever reason, cannot defend themselves.
Throughout the year, I have fulfilled the duties of president of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch NAACP to the best of my ability. The following are some of the activities I have undertaken on behalf of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Branch of the NAACP:
• Met with or called citizens who contacted us for questions, advice and legal redress
• Served on the University of Virginia Slavery Commission
• Attended the NAACP's 106th National Convention in Philadelphia
• Assisted in planning our annual Founders' Day Commemoration
• Assisted in planning our annual Freedom Fund Banquet
• Participated in planning our monthly agenda for branch meetings
• Attended City Council meetings and spoke on behalf of the branch
• Attended the Virginia State Conference in Richmond, VA
• Met with Delegate David Toscano regarding DNA Bill and issues of concern to the NAACP
• Spoke on local radio station (WINA) regarding issues of concern to the NAACP
• Attended the celebration honoring community activists and lifetime NAACP members, Eugene & Jane Foster
• Attended the Miller Center Presentations on Diversity, School Expulsion and other civil rights topics
• Met with Brad Sheffield, Albemarle County Supervisor, regarding issues of concern to the NAACP
• Collaborated with Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHAR) and Civil Rights Attorney, Jeff Fogel to file a lawsuit against the City Police Department for withholding data requested on racial profiling
• Participated in Commemorating the African American Military Experience.
• Represented the NAACP at the Chamber of Commerce Dinner
• Met with UVA College Chapter NAACP Members
• Participated in the March For Justice in South Boston, VA, organized by local NAACP branch
• Served on Committee to honor Gregory Swanson (first black student who attended UVA)
• Spoke to 5th grade class at Walker Middle School on school integration and Massive Resistance in Charlottesville
• Met with Albemarle County Police Chief Sellers regarding issues of concern to the NAACP
• Met with Charlottesville City Manager Maurice Jones regarding issues of concern tothe NAACP
• Attended Human Relations Commission meetings
• Spoke at Albemarle County Police forum on community relations
• Met with Friendship Court (public housing development) planning committee
• Met with City and County Commonwealth Attorneys regarding issues of concern to the NAACP
• Wrote and delivered tribute to Julian Bond. "There will never be another Julian Bond. People of that status in the civil rights movement have made untold contributions, sacrifice and invested in us. Now, it is up to us, It is our turn to step up to the plate."
• Attended the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March- “Justice or Else” in Washington D.C.
• Attended Martese's Johnson rally and his court appearance
M. Rick Turner
Click here for PDF document of this report.
Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution: The American Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1970: An Exhibition
Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution: The American Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1970: An Exhibition
The exhibition is in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, First Floor Lobby, from January 18 through February 29, 2016. It is a component of the University of Virginia’s 2016 Community MLK [Martin Luther King, Jr.] Celebration “The Call to Higher Ground.”
The Small Special Collections Library is open Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Fridays, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Saturdays, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., closed on Sundays.
The American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1970) intensely transformed American society and inspired similar movements worldwide. Its nonviolent protests and civil resistance for equal citizenship under the law enhanced African-Americans’ self-dignity and collective commitment in the face of white supremacist terrorism. Others too, were allies, martyrs and beneficiaries of this undertaking to fulfill the promises America had made on paper since 1776.
One of this exhibition’s three display cases features the life and career of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., charismatic leader of the Civil Rights Movement and “a drum major for justice and peace” in his letters and publications. The exhibit’s 24 items on display comprise letters, newsletters, photographs, poetry and reports; special items of interest include:
· A 1960 NAACP voting rights comic book
· Alex Haley’s 1963 interview of Malcolm X
· A 1969 Black Panther Party coloring book
· A 1976 Julian Bond for President bumper sticker
· Auction catalog for a 2006 planned sale of Dr. King’s papers
· An inscribed copy of Coretta Scott King’s published memoirs.
On a personal note, I wish to thank my Small Special Collections Library colleagues for their technical expertise and advice and moral support during the preparation of this exhibition: Eliza Gilligan, George Riser, Regina Rush, Molly Schwartzburg, David Whitesell, and, Jennifer Harmon of Alderman Library.
On another personal historical note: I once had the honor of a private meeting with Coretta Scott King at her Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change office in Atlanta. During our conversation she smilingly remarked, “Professor, you seem very nervous.” I replied, “Mrs. King, it’s not every day that I am in the presence of Civil Rights royalty.”
Sincerely,
Prof. Ervin L. Jordan, Jr. (Associate Professor)
Research Archivist, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
UVA Leadership in Academic Matters Fellow (2009)
President’s Commission on Slavery and the University (2013-2017)
Advisory Committee on African-American Interpretation at Monticello
Affiliated faculty, John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History,
University of Virginia College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation 2019 Commemoration Steering Committee
State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB)
Supreme Court of Virginia Historical Commission
Senior Advisor, Norfolk State University Board of Visitors (2013-14)
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (“On Being A Good Neighbor” in Strength to Love, 1963)
Mrs. Annie M. Merritt receives her NAACP Lifetime Membership plaque
At the January 11, 2016 monthly meeting of the Albemarle-Charlottesville branch of the NAACP, Mrs. Annie M. Merritt, 101 years young, 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 January 11, 2016. Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP is proud to share this special and important recognition of her accomplishment.
Virginia’s Grand Larceny Threshold Bill Advances
From: Rodney B. Thomas, Legislative Representative – Lobbyist – Virginia State Conference – NAACP
The Grand Larceny Threshold Bill was approved by the Senate Courts of Justice. While it does not meet the $1500 that VSCX-NAACP sought, it is a new beginning. The committee vote was 39 yea, 1 abstention. On January 28, it passed the Virginia Senate by vote of 26-Yes to 14-No.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Grand larceny; threshold. Increases from $200 to $500 the threshold amount of money taken or value of goods or chattel taken at which the crime rises from petit larceny to grand larceny. The bill increases the threshold by the same amount for the classification of certain property crimes.
Follow this bill’s progress at: https://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2016/sb23/
You can also find your Delgate's email and postal address to urge them to support this bill.
SENATE PATRONS
Bryce E. Reeves (chief patron)
L. Louise Lucas (chief co-patron)
J. Chapman Petersen (chief co-patron)
Scott A. Surovell (chief co-patron)
HOUSE PATRONS
Mark L. Cole
Sam Rasoul
————–
Rodney B. Thomas, Legislative Representative – Lobbyist – Virginia State Conference – NAACP
Virginia State Conference – NAACP; 1214 W. Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220
Tel: (804) 321-5678 * Email: thomasstatenaacp * Tel: (804) 677-8349
“Plan Purposefully; Prepare Prayerfully; Proceed Positively; Pursue Persistently
Virginia’s $200 Felony Grand Larceny Threshold (FGLT)
Virginia State Conference NAACP
Click here for PDF version of this letter
DATE: December 8, 2015
CONTACTS:
Jack Gravely 804-321-5678
Rodney Thomas 804-677-8349
Richmond, VA – In preparing for the 2016 Virginia General Assembly, many citizens are gravely concerned about a number of critical issues that are already being debated by influential lobbyists who represent self-serving clients. It is troubling many Virginia lawmakers seem to sheepishly follow the lead of lobbyists – too often to the harm of vulnerable citizens in Virginia. These early discussions also include many governmental agencies, special commissions and McAuliffe Administration officials.
A significant concern of the statewide organizations and groups listed below – and many others – is Virginia’s $200 Felony Grand Larceny Threshold (FGLT). The alarming fact is Virginia’s $200 FGLT is sadly among the lowest in the entire nation (along with New Jersey) – see details below.
To both strongly voice widespread voter and citizen outrage about Virginia’s embarrassingly low $200 FGLT and also demand passage of legislation that substantially increases Virginia’s FGLT up to $1500, a wide array of community leaders, church leaders, statewide church leadership organizations encompassing many denominations, activists, taxpayers, consumers and many others have come together in a historic way working to bring about change in Virginia’s outdated and punitive $200 FGLT.
The Virginia State Conference NAACP (and members of 100 branches), Virginia Alliance Against Mass Incarceration, Baptist General Convention of Virginia (with pastors and members in 1200 congregations, Baptist Minister’s Conference of Richmond & Vicinity, Richmond Crusade for Voters, African American Family Initiative, Baptist Minister’s Conference of Goochland & Vicinity, African American Lecture Series Committee, Henrico Minister’s Conference, Virginia’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Men on the Mainline along with many other concerned statewide groups, organizations and citizens all FORMALLY call on all General Assembly members, Governor McAuliffe and the Virginia Retail Merchants Association to introduce, FULLY SUPPORT and pass legislation to increase Virginia’s FGLT up to $1500.
Virginia’s $200 FGLT is embarrassingly low in comparison to such in other mid-Atlantic states which have levels that are much higher: –PA & SC at $2000 -DE at $1500 -NC, MD, DC & WV at $1000.
Virginia’s archaic $200 FGLT has been debated for decades in the General Assembly, among Commonwealth Attorneys and their Association, the Virginia State Bar Association, Sheriffs across Virginia and their Association, Clerk of Courts, Judges, attorneys, pastors and church congregations of all faiths and denominations and in both Republican and Democrat organization.
Heretofore, years of discussion has been unsuccessful resulting from extremely conservative / outdated General Assembly attitudes along with ardent refusal by the Virginia Retail (and other) Merchants Association, their lobbyist henchmen and corporate members with whom Virginia consumers patronize every day – i.e., Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, CVS, Food Lion, Walgreen’s, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Bank of America, Martins, COSTCO, RiteAid and many, many others.
Totally lost in these discussions are cost savings to taxpayers resulting from even a modest increase in Virginia’s FGLT. As reflected in a 2008 Virginia Department of Correction report, whose researchers informed the Virginia Crime Commission that from 2008 – 2014 Virginia could have saved over $14,000,000 in taxpayer dollars simply by (at that time) increasing the FGLT up to a modest $600.
Virginia taxpayers, their families, communities and persons of all denominations should not have to bear the burden imposed upon them by paying such an onerous price to protect profits of the same cash-rich retailers who many faithfully patronize everyday – such is simply corporate welfare on the backs of taxpayers.
Community Forum to discuss the use of body cameras on Tuesday, September 15 at 7PM
Monday, September 7, 2015
To: NAACP Members and Albemarle County Residents:
On Tuesday, Sept. 15th – 7 P.M at the County Office Bldg. on 5th St. Extended, the Albemarle County Police Department will hold a community forum to discuss the use of Body Cameras by the police force in Albemarle County.
It is extremely important that NAACP members as well as Albemarle County residents put forth the effort to attend this meeting.
Now is the time to voice your opinion regarding this vital issue. When these kinds of major decisions arise, our voices need to be a part of the conversation.
Please spread the word.
Albemarle- Charlottesville NAACP
M. Rick Turner, President
Hearing on the case regarding release of stop and frisk information September 11
There will be a hearing on this on:
Friday, September 11
at 9:00 AM
Charlottesville Circuit Court (315 East High Street)
We would love to have PHAR and supporters in attendance, and the hearing should be very interesting!
As you may know, the Charlottesville Police Department released info a while back showing that 70% of all stops in the city were of African-Americans. We have learned that only a small number of those have resulted in any arrest, action, court appearances or convictions. PHAR and the NAACP want to know why this is! We requested access to police narratives of the stops, which were instituted by Chief Longo in order to monitor his officers behavior. The Chief originally agreed to give us the information, but then changed his mind, so we filed a lawsuit against the City of Charlottesville.
Recently the court did not dismiss the suit as requested by the city, so it now goes to an evidentiary hearing.
This should be really interesting! See you Friday (wear your red PHAR t-shirt if you have one!)
Brandon Collins
Organizer, Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR)
Office: (434) 984-3255
Cell: (434) 249-3312
1000 Preston Ave, Suite C
Charlottesville, Va 22903
Honoring the Life of Julian Bond
Image from Julian Bond Memorial Service 22 August 2015
The NAACP family is saddened at the sudden passing of longtime NAACP Board Member Julian Bond. The Chairman Emeritus passed away at the age of 75, following a very brief illness. His influence and legacy extend far beyond his work with the NAACP—his life’s work touched the entire nation. He will be missed, but never forgotten.