NAACP Hosts Tech Diversity Panel, Black-ish star at #NAACP106

The Youth and College Division held an exciting and informative dialogue this afternoon at the Center Stage in the Industry and Commerce show. The dialogue, entitled the Cyber Cafe: Diversity in Technology, gave exciting and new information on breaking into the technological work force as a minority. The dialogue, hosted by Youth and College Division , Director Sammie Dow, featured two successful young professionals, Sonja Gittens Ottley and Jewel Burks, who gave their insight on the topic. Sonja Gittens Ottley is a Global Diversity Programs Manager at Facebook, part of the Global Diversity Team. Ottley was also able to give advice to rising professionals in the the technological field as well as give information about some available internships and programs Facebook is sponsoring. Jewel Burke is co-founder and CEO of Partpic, an Atlanta based start-up designed to streamline the purchase of maintenance and repair parts using computer vision technology. Burke is also an Entrepreneur in Residence for Diversity Markets at Google. Burke was also able to give some insight on entrepreneurship as well as being active in your field while in school.

The Cyber Cafe also featured the young and brilliant, Yara Shahidi, actress and activist from ABC’s new hit series, Black-ish. Shahidi’s segment in the cyber cafe focused on youth and activism. Shahidi touched on how important it is for our youth to be actively engaged and concerned with today’s social issues. She commended our youth for utilizing social media as a tool to promote social activism.

The NAACP Youth and College Division commenced their sub-divisional meeting this morning for organization and election of committees for each chapter. The students congregated to hold an election of youth representatives to the national youth work committee to elect youth officials to conduct campaigns, rallies and initiatives to address the 5 games changers the NAACP has implemented. These games changers include Economic Stability, Education, Health, Public Safety and Criminal Justice and Voting Rights and Political Representation. These initiatives or “games changers” are set to maintain and materialize the original mission of the NAACP on a municipal level while engaging the youth members of the organization. We are eager to see what our youth has in store for us this upcoming year and we commend them for the work they have done this far!

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NAACP Day 4 Convention Wrap-UP - Youth and College Division

NAACP 106th Convention Youth Night

NAACP Youth and College Division—Ready For #NAACP106

The NAACP Youth and College Division has a great week of activities scheduled at this year's #NAACP106. Leaders in social justice are set to train and energize youth and college activists from across the country.

Make sure to use the hashtags #NAACPYC and #NAACP106 when sharing your moments on social media. Some of your posts may be shared on @NAACPConnect's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook profiles.

Here are this year's event highlights.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Event: Joint Youth and College / ACT-SO Movie Screening: “Brotherly Love”
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 AM
Location: Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Event: “Sunday Night Live: Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love”
Time: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Location: Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel 

Monday, July 13, 2014

Event: Roy Wilkins Youth Leadership Luncheon
Time:  12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Speaker: Rahiel Tesfamariam (Founder and Publisher, Urban Cusp Magazine)
Description: Leadership is really the foundation and legacy of the Youth and College Division. This luncheon will celebrate what leadership means to today’s generation of youth freedom fighters. This luncheon is intended to reminder our young people of the need for strong community leadership and offer them a 21st century approach to leadership, especially in this post-Ferguson climate.

Event: Youth Night Public Mass Meeting: “I, Too, Sing America: Defining OUR Narrative”
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Speakers: Lauren Williams (Features Editor, Essence Magazine), Hosea Chanchez (Actor, BET’s The Game), Dr. Alex Ellis (Founder, Tied to Greatness),
Performers: John Davis, Lyriq McQueary and The Philadelphia Dance Company
Description: Following the killings of several unarmed young people of color at the hands of law enforcement, we have seen a resurgence of youth activism and local community engagement. We have seen countless incidents of racism, making national headlines, from local communities, corporate boardrooms and college campuses. As a nation we are again grappling with the notion of race and its role in our politics, economics, education, religions and world. As a community, we have seen these incidents before but this time is different. Now, more than ever, young people are grabbing the “microphone” in communities across the country and online to tell their stories. The millennial generation of activists are redefining this country’s ‘black narrative’ and giving new voice to their lived experiences. Much like Langston Hughes, this generation is shouting ‘I, Too, Sing America.’ This evening will highlight their narratives and offer a deeper discussion on how Youth and College attendees can also amplify their voices, while uniquely celebrating all that we are as a community.

Event: Youth Social Activity 
Time:  10:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Location: Ultrazone Laser Tag and Arcade

Event: Young Professionals Reception
Time:  10:00 PM – 1:30 AM
Location: Stratus Rooftop Lounge

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Event: Clara Luper Luncheon    
Time:  1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Speaker: David Johns (Executive Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans)
Description: This luncheon pays homage to Ms. Clara Luper, long-time NAACP Youth Advisor, and honors the work of our Youth and College advisors who give tirelessly throughout the year to ensure our youth have the skills and resources to be successful. We will also honor our Clara Luper Youth Advisors of the Year. The keynote address during this luncheon is designed to highlight the importance of being mentored and serving as a mentor as a key function of developing the next generation of NAACP leaders.

Event: Youth and College Concurrent Workshops
Time:  2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Topic: “America After Ferguson: What Should Be Happening in Local Communities”
Speakers: Jamira Burley (Amnesty International USA) and Cedric Lawson (BYP 100)
Description: The country experienced a resurgence of young people protesting and becoming active around issues of injustice following the murder of Michael Brown. Communities across the country began to see young people rising to leadership and declaring #BlackLivesMatter. However, many young people are still wondering what are next steps in addressing the issues of police brutality and race relations in their local communities. This interactive workshop serves as a platform for young people to critically think about how they can address these issues in their communities under the Youth and College Division’s #IMatter campaign.

Topic: “More than a #Hashtag: The Power of Social Media Activism” 
Speakers: Bilal Morris (Online Editor, Radio One Philadelphia), Bethany Criss-June (Deputy Membership Director, NAACP) and Charles Belk (Producer/Activist)
Description: Today’s generation of youth activists are using social and digital media to engage their communities at rapid speeds. However, there continues to be dialogue about how to translate what happens online with tangible engagement in local communities. This interactive workshop will examine how to use online mediums to build relationships and how to leverage those relationships to push forward change offline.

Topic: “Get Your Money Straight: Tools for Black Building Wealth EARLY”
Speakers: Michael Parker (Founder, YOU are a CEO)
Description: One of the greatest challenges in the African American community remains our lack of financial literacy and education. Our young people are graduating from college with staggering amounts of student loan debt and do not have the tools to make financially smart and healthy decisions. As a result, they become high-wage earners with little to no ability to build wealth. This interactive session will provide tangible, concrete steps for people of all ages to begin building a better financial future.

Event: Juanita Jackson Mitchell Youth Freedom Fund Dinner   
Time:  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Description: Ms. Juanita Jackson Mitchell was the NAACP’s first Youth Secretary in March 1936. Her contributions and tireless efforts laid the foundation for how the Association continues to engage young people more than 78 years later. This signature event will highlight the work of our local Youth and College units and offer inspiring words of encouragement as Youth and College delegates accept the call to stand up and fight for justice.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Event: Youth and College Day of Service   
Time:  3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Cobbs Creek Recreation Center and Tacony Watershed Project

Why I Joined The NAACP: It Is Still Important To This Generation

The ability to have a voice and express oneself whether that being voicing concerns or interest is a wonderful part of being a citizen of the United States. Although having that voice is a God given right not everyone believes or feels that their voice will be heard. Those same people may also feel that they do not have enough courage to make the difference. I decided to join the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in order to contribute to the great cause of projecting that voice. I want to ensure that all who have a voice are heard and I can do that by working for the NACCP because their mission is similar to mine.

Being a part of an organization that truly focuses and genuinely wants to give a strong voice to those who feel that they are marginalized is exceedingly reassuring. The NAACP is simply a pioneer as they display leadership and challenge the status quo for they tirelessly strive to improve the culture both socially and politically. This new generation has great potential to influence and impact the world. This generation is fortunate to have the NAACP because of its dedication and long legacy of uplifting those without a voice. The NAACP believes in training future leaders so that they may sway and shift the culture. The NAACP also believes in standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. This is extremely important as this  generation walks the path that has been paved and push forward to make anew. 

In order to achieve the vision of pursuing the ability to say that all people have a voice regardless of race, religion affiliations, or etc. it is imperative that this generation along with the past ones work hand and hand with the NAACP as they work with legislators to ensure that no one remains voiceless.

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#JusticeSummer Announced, #NAACPYC Represented

 

Javonte McNeal, NAACP Virginia Youth & College Division President and Da'Quon Love, NAACP National Board member at the launch of America's Journey for Justice. #JusticeSummer

A photo posted by NAACP (@naacp) on

Jun 15, 2015 at 8:52am PDT

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Born Suspect Campaign - Education and Action

• PSA Release on radio, ongoing during the month of May
• New Born Suspect concept video to be released
• Criminal Justice press advisories will be released for trainings in local areas