Over half the year has come and
gone. This is a time for us to look back over the last six months and evaluate the value of our works. Have we taken the time
to help someone who fell into harder times? Have we taken the time to help send a child through school by giving to a scholarship
program or by helping them to be successful in the NAACP ACT-SO program? Have we taken time to help feed an elder or read
them a book? Have we taken the time to register to vote or to encourage someone who has never done so to do so?
All these things are worthwhile but only if we take the time to
get them completed. In a few days we will begin our National Convention. It is scheduled to help address those actions mentioned
above and many more. The NAACP Convention for me is one of the most efficient and effective educational venues that an African-American
(or for that matter any one) can take part in.
To observe the young adults conducting their business meetings of
the youth councils while addressing parliamentarian procedures would make any mother or father, aunt or uncle proud of the
accomplishments of our young adults today. In fact, it has been noted time and time again, that the adults could certainly
learn something from the business skills of our youth. They are filled with enthusiasm and energy and send positive vibes
as they conduct business to help promote social justice change. They are among our best change agents. They help us to help
ourselves by encouraging and motivating those who sometimes get in that ― “we’ve always done it this way”
mode.
This year’s conference will feature Barack Obama and John
McClain as they begin to converge upon the presidential election this year. I continue to urge those who have yet to register
to do so. This is one of the most important elections ever. At a time when fuel prices have zoomed to extremely uncontrollable
prices, the contamination of foods are increasing while the price of foods soar, more and more businesses are going out of
business and the small business owner is being squeezed ever so tightly and the health care picture or lack thereof for many
is a whole new story… if ever there has been the time to make a difference in the world, this is definitely it.
Don’t forget that your local NAACP unit has lots of services
that are available to you and your youth. The NAACP ACT-SO program (Academic, Cultural, Technical, Scientific Olympics) is
one that is geared toward making our youth the best they can be as they compete against others in the respective program areas.
The Leadership 500 program is focused on recruiting young adults under 40 to help them become exceptional leaders in their
community and in our world. The Topeka Branch NAACP is accepting contributions to its program for distributing scholarships
for membership and for educational opportunities and we look forward to hearing from you to sponsor and support a youth.
If you get an opportunity, tap into the NAACP website and review the program for the National Convention. If you miss
it this time, you can hear the convention messages online but you certainly don’t want to miss it next year as we celebrate
our 100th anniversary.
