ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The 113th convention of the NAACP, on Wednesday, recognized a new and emerging class of civil rights leaders from across the country. They are graduates of the NAACP’s Next-Gen program.
For seven days, NAACP members from chapters across the country, as well as civic leaders, national and state lawmakers, mothers, fathers, students and retirees alike, filled the halls of the Atlantic City Convention Center.
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After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the convention to go virtual for two years, everyone was able to gather in person this year. According to Atlantic City Chapter President Kaleem Shabazz, it did not disappoint.
“It was exciting, informative, substantial, challenging, rewarding,” he said. “All of the above and even more!”
At a breakfast ceremony at Frankie’s Restaurant in Atlantic City on Wednesday, the convention honored graduates of the Next-Gen program.
“Next-Gen was designed as a gap filler of sorts for those who may have already graduated college and started their careers but are still engaged in civil rights,” said Atlantic City NAACP Vice President Yolanda Melville.
The program trains people ages 21 to 40 who are active in civil rights work through their NAACP chapter. It represents over 400 people in 35 states.
Constance Days-Chapman, who is principal of Atlantic City High School, just completed the program.
“We learned about the history of the NAACP. They gave us strategies for mobilizing and getting together and just developing as a leader," Days-Chapman said. “With this program, it helped me to build my leadership skills, and what I also love is the amount of people that it allowed me to meet and network with.”
More young NAACP members have been likely to become leaders in their communities after going through the Next-Gen program, Melville said. There are many elected officials and nonprofit leaders affiliated with local chapters who are doing things outside of the association.
State Attorney General Matt Platkin, Wednesday’s keynote speaker, says the Next-Gen program is outstanding for its ability to help emerging leaders across the country.
"It has created a network and a program to help nurture them and help them grow both in their professional careers and within the organization. … That is the way to build new leadership,” Platkin said.
"We need people getting involved, getting organized, learning about issues and learning how to engage. … It started when I was very young. And it is a muscle. You get better at it over time."
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Tyrus Ballard of Willingboro, with the Southern Burlington County NAACP branch, just completed the program as well.
"The NAACP is a good organization, but at times it struggled to connect with the younger generation, and I just thought it was a great way to not only recruit younger members but to also connect with them throughout the country," Ballard said.
Times are changing, and leaders must evolve, he said.
“What we did to fight slavery is different from what we did in the civil rights movement. And now we're just in a new era. So, people just need to learn how to get involved and just fight for their own rights," Ballard said.
This next generation of civil rights leaders will be needed for the times ahead. Priorities that remain on the agenda for people of color going forward: voting rights, equal education, affordable housing, ending racial strife, improving police and community relations, better maternal outcomes, affordable housing, and safer gun laws .
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One highlight of the week was a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris, who spoke to an energized audience about the disparities that hold back people of color. The main subject she addressed was reproductive rights and the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
All of those issues were discussed throughout the week. Shabazz reflected on the work that was done and the work that lies ahead.
“We had very, very good workshops and leaders, and we had a strong contingency of local youth which we wanted to do,” he said. “Coming together is good. Socializing is good. Supporting Black businesses is necessary, but we have to make sure that we do civil rights and social justice. That's what we focused on, and we're going to move forward and be energized to make change."