SAY YESS!
Say Youth Empowerment Substance Service (YESS) to Barber Candidate for President of the North Carolina Conference of NAACP! (click here for audio post)
1 CommentALSTON WILL RUN AS REV. BARBER MAKES IT OFFICIAL, WEEK OF JULY 21 -JULY 27, 2005
by CASH MICHAELS
The Wilmington Journal
Originally posted 7/25/2005 
As The Wilmington Journal, first and exclusively predicted, the race for state NAACP president is officially on, with the incumbent and a major challenger both announcing on Monday that they’re in the hunt.
According to the Greensboro News & Record, state NAACP Pres. Melvin “Skip” Alston confirmed to that paper that he will run again this October 7 for the post he’s held for a decade.
Alston, who is also a controversial Guilford County Commissioner, noted he was surprised, after running unopposed for the past two elections, to be finally getting a challenger – the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, senior pastor of Green Leaf Christian Church of Goldsboro.
“I know him very well and respect him highly,” Alston is quoted by the N&R as saying. “I told him I wish him well, but I was going to try and keep my job.”
With his wife, Rebecca, and their five children surrounding him, Rev. Barber made his candidacy official at Grace AME Zion Church in Southeast Raleigh Monday during a morning press conference.
Press Release
ALL MEDIA OUTLETS
RE: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II Announces His Candidacy for North Carolina Conference NAACP Presidency in Plymouth NC as a part of an eastern swing.
Contact: For further information, contact Mrs. Charmeine Turner at (919)735-9059.
August 12, 2005
I am offering myself as a servant to become the President of the North Carolina Conference of the NAACP. Over the last two years, many persons throughout the state have asked me to consider this cause. After much prayer, contemplation, consideration, and counsel, I believe it is time for a healthy and vigorous debate about the vision and direction of the NAACP in our state and its role in the continuing struggle for justice, protection of civil rights, and the social well being of humanity. It’s time for new vision, new leadership, and a new commitment to the kind of teamwork that will pull together the civil rights family. This election is about policy, procedures, performance, and how we use our collective power to benefit the masses of our people.
These are critical times. The statistics tell us so. The roar and onslaught of forces determined to undermine the hard won gains of the past are all around us politically, socially, economically, and morally. On one hand, I believe together we must forge a vision capable of meeting the ongoing challenges of racism, poverty, and regressive public policies that still invade our reality. We cannot forfeit the legacy of struggle handed to us. The NAACP and all of its branches must be strong and viable. We must be unbought and unbowed. We must free up branches administratively and financially so they can focus on the real work of preserving and fighting for civil rights. On the other hand, I believe we must be not only reactive but proactive in challenging our people to live up to the highest ideals, taking responsibility for doing for ourselves, regardless of what others attempt to do to us. We must not only build coalitions to fight for civil rights. We also must celebrate community, build positive coalitions for economic growth and entrepreneurship, lift up the marvelous achievements of our people, and promote academic excellence. In doing so, we must be both agitator and innovator, always aware when to be which.
