BROOKLYN NAACP IS RECOGNIZED AT THE 99 TH ANNUAL NAACP CONVENTION –- CINCINNATI, OHIO

At the NAACP National Conference held July 12-17 in Cincinnati, Ohio , Member At Large L. Joy Mitchell, standing for President Karen Boykin-Towns in representing the NAACP Brooklyn Branch, accepted the distinguished Thalheimer Award presented to a member organization operating without an executive director but is noted for designing and offering outstanding programs benefitting their community at large.

In the case of the 2007 Thalheimer Award, all roads led to the NAACP Brooklyn Chapter and the great work of its President, Karen Boykin-Towns, who has led the revitalization efforts of the Brooklyn Chapter. With the support of her capable leadership team, who Boykin Towns acknowledges wholeheartedly – Peter Williams, 1 st Vice President, Anita Burson, 2 nd Vice President, Shonte Harrell, Secretary, Michele McPhun, Assistant Secretary, Annette Alleyne Merritt, Treasurer, and L. Londell McMillan, Esq., Counsel; Members At Large - John Flateau, Ph.D., L. Joy Mitchell, and Elder Robert Townsley; Committee Chairpersons – Roland O. Brammer (Act-So), Needham A. Mayes (Civic Engagement), Coran James (Education), Mark Pollard, Esq. (Criminal Justice), John Flateau, PhD. (Economic Development), Dexter McKenzie, MD (Health), Rodney Dent (Membership & Life Membership), and Reverend Joseph Jones (Religious Affairs) – the Brooklyn Chapter has designed and offered a number of outstanding programs promoting and advocating civil rights, voter mobilization and monitoring of equal opportunity as it relates to workforce development and fair housing.

More specifically, the NAACP Brooklyn Branch has been recognized with the 2007 Thalheimer Award for developing outstanding local programs including, but not limited to:

· Back to School/Stay in School Initiative with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and NYC Department of Education Chancellor Joel Klein where we gave 1000 backpacks and school supplies to needy NYC public school children

· Activism against Jena 6 and noose hangings at Canarsie High School

· Second Chance Forum (for formerly incarcerated)

· Health Fair with Ruby Dee and CMS at church of Reverend Waterman

· Freedom Fund Awards program recognizing outstanding individuals with special guest Julian Bond, Chairman NAACP Board of Directors

· Health Walk-a-Thon

Commenting on the award, Karen Boykin-Towns states, “It was with great pride the Brooklyn NAACP accepted the 2007 Thalheimer Award for outstanding programmatic activities. Unlike most who have been operating for years, the Brooklyn Branch was just reactivated in September 2005 and in a very short time we are reestablishing ourselves to have impact in our community. This award was validation of our hard work and a reminder of how much more we must do.”

Hazel Dukes, President of the NYS NAACP Conference of Branches, also commented on the award saying, ““The NYS NAACP Conference of Branches had several branches recognized for outstanding programmatic activities throughout the State. I take particular pride in the achievements of the Brooklyn Branch in its winning of the Thalheimer Award at the 99 th National Convention. In three short years they have turned things around and are diligently working on the important issues facing the community. We expect great things from them in the years to come.”

“Congratulations to the Brooklyn Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and its visionary leader, and National Board Member, President Karen Boykin-Towns on winning the coveted Thalheimer Award at our 99th Annual Convention this month in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Brooklyn Branch is a force for justice and equality not just in Brooklyn but in our nation. I am proud of their extraordinary work,” exclaimed Reverend Nelson B. Rivers, III, NAACP Chief of Field Operations.

“It is no surprise that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People saw fit to recognize the Brooklyn Branch for its outstanding programs. Karen Boykin-Towns is one of the movers and shakers of Brooklyn and is widely known as one of Brooklyn's best. She demonstrates excellence in all aspects of her life and I am proud to recognize her leadership, but more importantly the accomplishments of the Brooklyn branch as a whole,” adds Brooklyn NAACP member Valerie Oliver Durrah, President of the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic.

ABOUT THE NAACP

F ounded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the largest and oldest civil rights organization in our nation. The birth of the NAACP was rooted in the disenfranchisement of African-Americans and people of color. Its history is one of activism and relentless advocacy for safeguarding the rights of African-Americans and other minority groups. The struggle has not been easy. From championing voter registration and economic empowerment to demanding equity in education, the NAACP has waged a tireless fight to ensure the civil rights of all Americans.

The NAACP has played an unparalleled role in establishing legal precedents to improve the lives of those who are socially, politically and economically disenfranchised. After years of fighting segregation in public schools, the NAACP achieved one of its greatest legal victories in 1954 with the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education. This victory led to desegregation of schools across America. In 1963, the NAACP worked tirelessly to ensure passing of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. Again, in 1965, the NAACP and its members were subjected to death, death threats and police brutality as they fought for passing of the Voting Rights Act. Key provisions of the Act have been extended over the years. Most recently, in July 2006, the United States Congress extended the Voting Rights Act for another 25 years. Again, the NAACP was at the forefront of a national campaign to ensure its extension.

In its almost 100 years of activism, the NAACP has changed America and influenced the world. It is unimaginable what this great nation would be without the relentless fight of the NAACP for freedom, equality of opportunities and justice for all. Because of the unwavering work of the NAACP, generations of traditionally excluded citizens can aspire to achieve the American Dream.

ABOUT THE BROOKLYN BRANCH

The Brooklyn Branch of the NAACP was established in 1920. It was a year of turmoil and pervasive lynching of African-American men. The first meeting of the Brooklyn NAACP, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in December 1920, was an antilynching meeting. Attending that meeting was Congressman Leonidas C. Dyer of Missouri, who introduced the Anti-Lynching Bill in Congress. Also present was Senator Joseph Frank of Maryland, an unwavering anti-lynching campaigner.

Over the years, the Brooklyn Branch has gained a reputation as one of the largest, most effective and influential branches of the NAACP. At its peak, the branch had a membership of some 10,000. The Brooklyn Branch is poised to reclaim this rich history with its restructuring. Since its reorganization in June 2005, the branch has emerged with a young and committed leadership. This leadership is determined to build on the branch's rich legacy of activism and defending the social, economic, political and legal rights of people of color.

FIVE REASONS TO JOIN THE NAACP

1. The fight for freedom is not free! Your membership will help fund initiatives and programs to support our mission of racial equality and equal justice

2. A membership in the NAACP is your opportunity to give back to the organization that has done more to change this country for the betterment of people of color, women, and the disenfranchised than any other in the nation's history

3. Your membership in the NAACP makes you a part of a force of 300,000 people who stand for the freedoms guaranteed in our nation's constitution

4. Your membership in the NAACP makes a direct and positive impact in your community when you join your local Unit

5. Your membership in the NAACP will give you access to our upcoming benefits program that provides discounts on products and services across the country

Membership is the lifeblood of the NAACP.

For further information, and/or to join and do more, contact the NAACP Brooklyn Branch at

26 Court Street, Suite 2205 Brooklyn, NY 11248

(718) 243-2040 phone

(718) 243-2080 fax

Email: contactus@brooklynnaacp.org