Communications, Press and Publicity COMMITTEE

Chairperson Lisa Brown, Patricia Jack, and Lisa Glover 

Duties:  The Committee on Communications, Press and Publicity shall: (1) seek to promote media content consistent with fundamental NAACP goals which include the elimination of racial isolation and fear and the furtherance of multiracial and cultural understanding; (2) work to eliminate employment segregation and discrimination in those industries, [comprising the communication arts and sciences] (radio, telephone, television, motion pictures, newspapers, books, related computer communications, business, cable television); (3) seek to ensure Black minority ownership and control of print and electronic media - both hardware and software; (4) monitor local and national media, especially advertising performance; (5) provide the National Office with research and data on those local businesses engaged in communications arts and sciences; (6) seek to ensure that all people have a meaningful right to choose from and have access to a variety of high quality telecommunications goods and services at reasonable cost; (7) endeavor to secure publicity for the work of the Unit and the Association in local press and on radio, television and other media; (8) attempt to interest persons in charge of local news media on conditions affecting minority groups; (9) seek to counteract derogatory and erroneous statements in local news media about Blacks and other minority groups; (10) be responsible for forwarding to THE CRISIS items covering Unit activities and important local affairs; and (11) act as far as possible as an agency for the promotion and sale of THE CRISIS. No publicity shall be released without first being approved by the President of the Unit.

Chairperson Kim Hightower, David Watson, Gene Woods, Irene Pyke, Mary Cerbone and Kim Caliman Byrd,

Duties:  The Committee on Education shall: (1) seek to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public education; (2) study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; (3) investigate the public school system and school zoning; (4) familiarize itself with textbook material there from which is racially derogatory; (5) seek to stimulate school attendance; (6) keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found; (7) investigate the effects of standardize and high stakes testing practices; (8) teacher certification: (9) promote parental involvement in education: and (10) aim to be center of popular education on the race question and on the work of the Association

Chairperson Deacon William Wise, Angelique Belle and President Donald Byrd III

Duties:  The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, and at least one other member. It shall study the financial needs of the Unit and shall be responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget  

Chairperson Sqt. Steven Rhodes, Irene Pyke, Jane Roberts, Kim Caliman Byrd, Kim Hightower and Lisa Brown

Duties: The Freedom Fund Committee shall plan and conduct fund-raising activities, entertainment and other projects, for local and national purposes within the scope of the Association’s program. It shall work closely with the Finance Committee. 

Chairperson Cheryl Deverll, Jerome Colwell and Judith Khalifa 

Duties:  The Health Committee shall: (1) work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans; (2) assess the health needs of the community; (3) advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment, and research for all Americans; (4) sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and (5) support health initiatives of the Association.  

Chairperson Sqt. Steven Rhodes, Angeligue Belle, and Jerome Colwell

Duties: The Legal Redress Committee shall: (1) investigate all cases reported to it; (2) supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested; and (3) keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.

Chairperson Margaret Hamiel, Patricia Jack, and Sussanne Gerald 

Duties:  The Membership Committee shall: (1) work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association; (2) be responsible for planning and organizing the annual membership campaign; (3) be responsible on a continuous basis for soliciting new members and for securing renewals; and (4) initiate all possible means to obtain Life Members and sponsor a continuing program towards this end. 

Chairperson Reverend Dorothy Patterson, Jerome Colwell, Ortavia Jackson, and Agnes Martinez.

Duties:  The Political Action Committee shall: (1) seek to increase registration and voting (2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups; (3) seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation; (4) work to improve the administration of justice; (5) work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and (6) keep the National Office and the Unit informed of all proposed legislation which affects minority groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office. 

Chairperson Reverend Dorothy Patterson, Agnes Martinez, and Ortavia Jackson 

Duties: The Religious Affairs Committee shall include ministerial and lay religious leaders who are members of the Unit. It shall: (1) promote an educational program designed to moral and ethical interpretation to the civil rights struggle; (2) interpret the work of the Association to organized religious groups of all faiths; (3) enlist the support of such organized religious groups for membership, fundraising and the struggle for equality and full civil rights; and (4) provide resource assistance for religious education and social action activities, associated with the improvement of race relations.