May 12, 2019
See the ground we've covered January-May, 2019!

Since our new NAACP Board and President Sadiqa Sakin took office January 1, we've hit the ground running in being at the forefront of Civil Rights. We've supported important legislation for equality in Housing, Police Accountability, Religion, and Education, to start. 

• May 2019 NAACP is developing a local NAACP Prison branch
• May 2019 NAACP is working on ensuring racial equity and transparency in preparation for the 2020 census 
• April 2019 NAACP ACT-SO announces they're sending 10 talented high schoolers to compete at National in July 2019
• April 2019 stemming from racial social media posts, NAACP is developing an Education Program for Issaquah Schools
• April 2019 NAACP adds historic LGBTQ Chair DeAunte' Damper to the NAACP Board
• April 2019 NAACP testifies in support to help pass I-1000
• March 2019 Planned Parenthood Coalition Lobby Day in Olympia, NAACP speaks on the importance of Universal Healthcare and Reproductive Health Access
• March 2019 NAACP testifies to help pass a resolution in Seattle, calling on Congress to pass comprehensive Medicare for All
• February-May 2019 NAACP-hosted free Legal, Economic, and Police Accountability clinics to the public

April 27, 2019
​We say goodbye to our NAACP 2nd VP Jacquie Jones-Walsh

Our Seattle King County NAACP 2nd Vice President, Jacquie Jones-Walsh, passed away on Monday April 15th morning. Jacquie has done incomparable work with the NAACP and the community, this is an overwhelming loss. 

Her life was celebrated, however, on April 27, 2019;  Jacquie's services were standing-room and full of family, friends, and supporters.  We thank all of the thoughtful speakers and statements, including Sadiqa Sakin President of Seattle King County NAACP, Governor Jay Inslee, and Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

Mayor Jenny Durkan wrote that, “we have lost a truly committed public servant”, and proclaimed April 27 to be Jacque Jones-Walsh Day, City of Seattle”. The Seattle King County NAACP pledges to celebrate this day each year not only to honor Jacquie's legacy, but to continue her work in social justice. ​Thank you to those who shared their photos of Jacquie with us for this tribute.

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February 22, 2019
Thanks to all who came out for our NAACP VIP Cocktail Mixer!

We welcomed visiting special guests NAACP President/CEO Derrick Johnson, NAACP Vice Chairman of the National Board of Directors Karen Boykins-Towns, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and many more.

It was a night of drinks, dancing, and coming together for the common goal of social justice. Our NAACP branch is just getting started under new leadership by President Sadiqa Sakin. 

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January 21, 2019
A fantastic turnout for MLK DAY!

MLK Day was a great opportunity for community action and service. We attended a workshop held by our Seattle King County NAACP Youth Coalition, followed by a career fair and rally in the gym at Garfield High School before the MLK March.

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​Saturday, November 4, 2017

It was a packed room at our annual Freedom Fund fundraiser, with special guests including Representative Maxine Waters!

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June 17, 2017

​Thank you to everyone who came out to our Tree Planting Ceremony to help us honor the memory of the ‪#‎Charleston9‬, and a special thanks to Claude Burfect and Jackie Jones-Walsh on our labor committee, 2017.

November 7, 2015 
Pursuing Liberty in the Face of Injustice
Thank you to all who helped make our 102nd anniversary celebration such a success! 

The 102nd Anniversary Reception featured keynote speaker Dr. Carl Mack, former President of the NAACP Seattle King County Branch and was held in memoriam of our nine Emanuel A.M.E. brothers and sisters who tragically lost their lives on July 17th simply because of the color of their skin. We also memorialized our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives by legal intervention.

May 2015
Charleston March 

King 5 News: On Tuesday night, a show of solidarity for the Charleston church shooting victims wound its way through the streets of Seattle. Hundreds took part in the rally that began at First AME Church and then marched to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.
As they marched, people chanted "Who stands with Charleston? Seattle stands with Charleston!".
The Seattle NAACP worked with the Washington Christian Leadership coalition to put together the event, in honor of the nine people who were murdered last month in the middle of bible study at their historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Organizers of the Seattle rally said they were thrilled to see incredible diversity in the crowd.
"We have white people, we have black people, Hispanic people, just saying we're all here. And even if we don't say anything, just our presence is just letting you know that we care. Call on us," said Pastor Lawrence Willis, who is the president of the United Black Christian Clergy. "We want to stand and band together."

Photos courtesy of Al Garman

May 2015
President Hankerson visits Baltimore

In May, President Hankerson visited Baltimore and spoke with the community, police officers, and national guardsman while driving around the city. Among the photos below, President Hankerson stopping by the location where Freddie Gray was arrested, the militaristic state of the city and the crowd as the City Prosecutor announced her office was filing charges against 6 officers.

President Hankerson speaks about his experience with KOMO Radio from the streets of Baltimore. 

May 9, 2015
Seattle King County NAACP, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and the Loren Miller Bar Association meet. 

The executive boards of the Loren Miller Bar Association, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and Seattle King County NAACP 

Charles V. Johnson, Retired, Assistant Treasurer and active in the Branch for over 55 years. 

Oral History recorded by the University of Washington: Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project. http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/johnson.htm

For the past 20 years, the branch has concentrated on voter registration, humane law enforcement, and on young people, while monitoring economic development and providing legal redress. Elimination of drugs and prostitution was the focus of one march at Judkins Park. Through its ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) program, the organization encourages and inspires black youth toward excellence in academic and cultural pursuits.

The following are Seattle citizens who have served as president of the local chapter of the NAACP:

• Attorney Philip Burton
• Rev. F. Benjamin Davis
• Thelma Dewitty
• J. H. Graves
• Judge Donald D. Haley
• Judge Charles V. Johnson
• Odel Lewis
• Benjamin McAdoo
• Attorney James McIver
• Rev. Fountain Penick
• Rev. Fred Shorter
• E. June Smith
• Melvina Squires
• James Washington
• Letcher Yarbrough
• Attorney Andrew Young

Lacy Steele served as president for 26 years, through 1998. In 1999 Oscar Eason was elected president. In 2002 Carl Mack was elected president in the first contested race in 30 years.

In 2004, the Seattle King County Branch of the NAACP received the 2004 Thalheimer Award for its voter mobilization and other community efforts. The award, presented at the organization's annual convention, honors the country's most outstanding branch of the NAACP. This is the first time the Seattle branch has received it.

In January 2005, Carl Mack stepped down as head of the Seattle Chapter in order to accept the position of executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers. Seattle attorney Alfoster Garrett Jr., who had been chapter vice president, took over as president. In 2006 Sheley Secrest completed the unfinished term of Alfoster Garrett, Jr.

James Bible, a Seattle attorney, became the organization's third president in two years in 2007.

In 2008 Bible called for the resignation of Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske because he exonerated two officers who were accused of  roughing up and planting drugs on a black man who was a convicted drug dealer. The association has also been concerned about racial profiling and profiling of the poor by the Seattle police.
 
Attention was focused on the Seattle School District in 2008 and 2009 in its proposals for closing schools. On January 29, 2009 the Seattle School Board voted to close the programs at five schools: T. T. Minor, African American Academy, Cooper, Meany, and Summit K-12.  Of the nearly 1,800 students who will be directly impacted, most are students of color. The NAACP had pursued dialogues with the school district, held rallies, and held candlelight vigils to prevent closures that would hurt people of color, the poor, and those with learning disabilities.  It urged those who would be hurt by closures to file complaints with the U. S. Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights and offered to provide help to those affected.

Sources:
The Seattle Times, July 13, 2004; John Iwasaki, "Leadership Change at Local NAACP," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 25, 2005 (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/209273_mack25.htm); Mary Henry interview with Charles Johnson, February 7, 2009, Seattle; Marc Ramirez, "NAACP Says Suit Possible over Seattle School Closures," The Seattle Times, January 17, 2009; "NAACP to Hold Hearings on Police Conduct," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 26, 2008;  Lornet Turnbull, "NAACP: Racial Profiling on the Rise; Young People Targeted by Police," The Seattle Times, September 9, 2008; Linda Shaw, "Seattle Board Votes to Close 5 Schools," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 30, 2009..
Note: This essay was updated on January 27, 2005, and again on February 8, 2009.

By Mary T. Henry, January 14, 1999
HistoryLink.org