A Letter from the Chair of the National Youth Work Commitee

Greetings Freedom Fighters:

I greet each of you in the name of peace and power.  As your newly elected chair of the National Youth Work Committee, I feel that it is imperative that the dedicated members of Youth & College Division know who is representing them at the decision making table. The National Youth Work Committee is a body of 27 youth and adult representatives elected from all seven regions of the association. The committee also includes several appointed youth and adults, and all seven youth board members. As a committee we recommend to the Board of Directors, CEO, and the National Field Director best practice policies for units, and make recommendations on the direction of the NAACP Youth & College Division.

I am a sophomore at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where I play football. I am a St. Louis County native and I have been a part of the NAACP my entire life. Like many of you, I am passionate about the work of the NAACP and youth advocacy.   As we turn the corner into another 75 years of youth advocacy, we ask, “In what direction will the Youth & College Division take the NAACP?” The future is calling and as the pulse of this great organization, we must step up to answer the call!

The National Youth Work Committee is working tirelessly to develop a Youth & College agenda that will give us clarity on the issues that we have deemed relevant. Our committee will also be working to develop youth initiatives to address the “5 Game Changers” that are so crucial to people of color across the world.

As I work for you and this committee, I ask that you work together on the ground to develop strategies to bolster the presence of youth in the NAACP. I strongly encourage you to seek out your youth board member and your regional representatives on the National Youth Work Committee, and use them as a resource to help your units grow stronger. We are one NAACP and one bold Youth & College Division. We will craft a bright future for this great association, and for youth of color in this nation.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email so that I can hear from you, and how this committee can better assist you.

Yours in the Fight for Freedom,

John Gaskin III
Chair NAACP National Youth Work Committee
naacpyc@yahoo.com

“For I know the plans I have for you, said the Lord. Plans to give you future, and plans to give you hope”

Jeremiah 29:11