"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
- Barack Obama
Our History
February 1909: Future NAACP organizers issue "The Call" and form the Committee on the Negro, marking the beginning of their efforts to combat lawlessness against Negroes.
1910: The organization adopts the name National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and establishes The Crisis journal under the editorship of W. E. B. DuBois. Extensive organization in the North and Midwest takes place, focusing on anti-lynching legislation.
1917-1920: NAACP branches are organized in communities across Georgia, addressing educational improvements and fighting for equal treatment in schools. The association becomes a refuge for black Georgians fleeing oppression and provides legal and financial assistance.
1920: The national NAACP conference held in Atlanta triggers a backlash, hampering the Atlanta branch and impeding the formation of new branches throughout the state for the next two decades.
Mid-20th Century: The NAACP expands its focus to combat discrimination in the private sector, particularly in economic opportunities for minorities. Voter registration initiatives gain importance at the local, state, and national levels.
Now: The NAACP continues its mission, advocating for equality, investigating racial discrimination complaints, and utilizing the legal department to press significant discrimination cases, including class actions. Voter registration remains a priority, while membership dues and participation support the strategic initiatives established by the national board.
