NAACP DeKalb County Branch

Statement By NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous on World AIDS Day December 1, 2009
Washington—The NAACP stands united on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009, in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988 to provide national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.
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NAACP Chapters & Branches Support HIV Awareness on World AIDS Day
In observance of World AIDS Day, December 1st, NAACP chapters and branches around the country are preparing a number of events to highlight to the problem, the disproportionate impact on communities of color, and the ways that people can protect themselves. [Read More]


From the Blog: Getting Tested Could Be the Wake-up Call That Saves Your Life
Here is some knowledge that cannot be shared enough: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV/AIDS was among the top three causes of death for African-American men aged 25-54 years and among the top four causes of death for African-American women aged 25-54 years. It was the leading cause of death for African-American women aged 25-34 years. [Read More]

Acclaimed Director, Writer and Actor Tyler Perry Donates One Million Dollars to NAACP
Washington, DC (November 23, 2009) - The NAACP, the country’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, announced today that acclaimed film director Tyler Perry has donated one million dollars, marking the largest gift ever given by an individual entertainer. In addition, Perry purchased several NAACP commissioned Jacob Lawrence lithographs and additional lithographs by celebrated artists Jonathan Green, Elizabeth Catlett and Sam Gilliam. The gift, which will be distributed over the next four years, was made to commemorate the organization’s Centennial anniversary. [Read more]

NAACP Congratulates Bernice King on Election as President of Southern Christian Leadership Conference
WASHINGTON DC—The NAACP congratulates Bernice King on her recent appointment as President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King, 46, was elected as the first female President in the organization’s 52-year history.
“The NAACP recognizes the invaluable civil rights contributions made by women throughout American history, and congratulates Bernice King on her prestigious achievement in being elected the first female President of one of our country’s most esteemed civil rights groups,” said Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President and CEO.
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House Passes Historic Health Care Reform Bill
On Saturday, November 7th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3692, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a health care reform bill that includes a public option. In recent days, the NAACP’s 880 Campaign, along with the National Urban League, the Black Leadership Forum and others formed a Civil Rights War Room for Health Care Reform to fight for the inclusion of key provisions that made it into the final bill.

Last Friday, NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous hosted a joint press conference with our partner organizations and the Congressional Black Caucus to rally support for this historic effort (pictured). As CBC chair Barbara Lee explained when she visited our War Room last week, meaningful healthcare reform can only be passed with grassroots support. In the last week NAACP supporters generated thousands of calls and letters to their representatives in Congress, helping to bring us one step closer to the goal of universal healthcare for all Americans.

Louisiana Justice of the Peace Resigns
Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell resigned from his post yesterday after coming under fire for denying an interracial couple a marriage license. Last week the NAACP had joined the Tangiaphoa Branch of the NAACP in calling for his resignation. In 1963 the US Supreme Court ended prohibition of marriage due to race in the case of Loving vs. Virginia.
Click here to the BBC report on the resignation. The NAACPs official statement can be found here

NAACP Applauds U.S. Senate Passage of The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
WASHINGTON DC – The NAACP applauds the United States Senate for passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Senate voted 68-29 in favor of the Act after the House passed the companion bill 249 to 145 in April.
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