ounded February 12 , 1909 , the NAACP is the nation ' s oldest , largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization . Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities , campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization .
Founding Group The NAACP was formed partly in response to the continuing horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield , the capital of Illinois and resting place of President Abraham Lincoln . Appalled at the violence that was committed against blacks , a group of white liberals that included Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard , both the descendants of abolitionists , William English Walling and Dr . Henry Moscowitz issued a call for a meeting to discuss racial justice . Some 60 people , seven of whom were African American ( including W . E . B . Du Bois , Ida B . Wells-Barnett and Mary Church Terrell ), signed the call , which was released on the centennial of Lincoln ' s birth .
Other early members included Joel and Arthur Spingarn , Josephine Ruffin , Mary Talbert , Inez Milholland , Jane Addams , Florence Kelley , Sophonisba Breckinridge , John Haynes Holmes , Mary McLeod Bethune , George Henry White , Charles Edward Russell , John Dewey , William Dean Howells , Lillian Wald , Charles Darrow , Lincoln Steffens , Ray Stannard Baker , Fanny Garrison Villard , and Walter Sachs .
Echoing the focus of Du Bois ' Niagara Movement began in 1905 , the NAACP ' s stated goal was to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th , 14th , and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution , which promised an end to slavery , the equal protection of the law , and universal adult male suffrage , respectively .
The NAACP ' s principal objective is to ensure the political , educational , social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice . The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic processes .
The NAACP established its national office in New York City in 1910 and named a board of directors as well as a president , Moorfield Storey , a white constitutional lawyer and former president of the American Bar Association . The only African American among the organization ' s executives , Du Bois was made director of publications and research and in 1910 established the official journal of the NAACP , The Crisis .
In May 2008 , the NAACP National Board of Directors confirmed Benjamin Todd Jealous , a former community organizer , newspaper editor and Rhodes Scholar , as the 14th national executive of the esteemed organization .
Heading into the 21st century , the NAACP is focused on disparities in economics , health care , education , voter empowerment and the criminal justice system while also continuing its role as legal advocate for civil rights issues . In the past few years the NAACP has tackled important issues , including : racism in the political sphere ; over incarceration
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OFFICERS
Benjamin Todd Jealous is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the NAACP . Mr . Jealous has extensive management experience with civil and human rights institutions . Most recently , Jealous served as the President of the Rosenberg Foundation , a private independent institution that funds civil and human rights advocacy to benefit California ' s working families .
Roslyn M . Brock is Chairman of the National Board of Directors for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP ). She made history in February 2010 when she was unanimously elected as its 14th Chairman . She is
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Benjamin Todd Jealous NAACP Washington DC Bright House Orlando , Florida July 2013
the youngest person and fourth woman to hold this position . Brock is currently employed as Vice President , Advocacy and Government Relations for Bon Secours Health System , Inc ., in Marriottsville , Maryland . Prior to working at Bon Secours , Brock worked 10 years in health programs at the W . K . Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek , Michigan .
Leon W . Russell , Vice Chairman retired in January of 20 I 2 , after serving as the Director of the Office of Human Rights for Pinellas County Government , Clearwater , Florida . He had held this post since January of 1977 . In this position Mr . Russell was responsible for implementing the county ' s Affirmative Action and Human Rights Ordinances .
Carolyn Quilloin Coleman , Asst . Secretary is a native of Savannah , Georgia , where she graduated from Savannah State College . She holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in history and a minor in economics and sociology . She has done further study at Memphis Theological Seminary and holds the Masters of Science degree in adult education from North Carolina A & T State University . Previous to her work as a Commissioner , she served as the Special Assistant to Governor James B . Hunt for eight years . In this position , she advised the Governor on policy , personnel , legislation and concerns pertinent to the minority community .
Jesse Turner , Jr ., Treasurer serves as Chairman of tri-state bank of Memphis since 1994 ; president since 1990 , member , board of directors since 1983 ; served as CEO , EVP-cashier , VP , and auditor . Certified public accountant since I 974 ; owner , Jesse H . Turner , jr ., CPA , since 1989 , formerly Jesse H . Turner , CPA , a public accounting firm serving small businesses , non-profit groups , and individuals .