About

Overview

History

Founded in 1909, in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

The Michigan State Conference NAACP was chartered in 1935 and is the supervising unit that is directly responsible for approximately 25,000 members comprised within its 30 plus adult branches and 20 youth councils and college chapters located in Michigan. All NAACP Units within the geographic boundaries of the State Conference is a member of the State Conference and are subject to the State Conference’s efforts to coordinate NAACP activities and policies within its jurisdiction.

The Michigan NAACP is a c4 organization (contributions are not tax-deductible), and we have a partner c3 organization known as NAACP Empowerment Programs (contributions are fully tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS).

OUR Belief Statement

The Michigan State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People believes that each member is unique and valuable, and that knowledge leads to understanding and respect. We believe that everyone benefits from the rich dimensions of diversity in our Association, in our workplaces, in our schools, in our local communities and throughout our global society.

OUR Strategic Plan

 Know the Issues and learn more about what the NAACP tackles every day to dismantle racism and build Black political, social and economic power.

OUR National NAACP Awards

2007 Thalheimer Award

The Thalheimer Award is the NAACP’s top award given to its units for outstanding achievements. The honors have been given annually since 1944 from a grant from Dr. Ross Thalheimer, a Johns Hopkins University instructor in philosophy and a University of Washington instructor in philosophy and Sociology. He was also President of the Thalheimer Foundation, Inc.

2007 & 2011 Montague Cobb Health Award

Upon recommendation of the NAACP National Health Committee and approval of the NAACP National Board, the Montague Cobb Health Advocacy award was established to honor individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in the field of health. This award shall be given annually in recognition of the legacy of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, who served as the President of the NAACP from 1976 to 1983.

2007 Foot Soldier in the Sands Award

Each year at the National Convention, the NAACP Legal Department honors attorneys who have gone above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the Association and its civil rights agenda. This award is given to attorneys for their generous contribution of legal expertise to the NAACP on a pro bono basis. The honorees are typically nominated by an NAACP Unit or by the NAACP Legal Department, where the attorney has assisted the NAACP on a National Level.

2007 and 2016 Juanita Jackson Mitchell Award for Legal Activism

Each year, the NAACP awards the Juanita Jackson Mitchell Legal Activism Award to an NAACP Unit for exemplary legal redress committee. Mrs. Juanita Jackson Mitchell, the first African American woman admitted to the Maryland bar, was a teacher and civil rights activist who served the NAACP as president of the Baltimore City Branch, where she chaired the legal redress committee and founded the NAACP’s Youth Program.