About NAACP Arlington Branch
Our Vision
We envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons in Arlington can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.
Our Mission
We are a multiethnic multiracial community whose mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color in Arlington.
Peaceful Protests
Whenever the NAACP sees inequalities within the community, we are at the forefront of challenging these disparities.
Advocating for the Youth
The NAACP Arlington Branch is dedicated to advocating for equal educational opportunities for our youth. We strive to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Engaging with Community
We work with our community to encourage them to take action and work collaboratively to solve issues.
Leadership
We want to welcome you to the NAACP Arlington Branch (#7047). It’s an exciting time for our local branch to continue to grow and adapt to one of the most progressive counties in America. Today, organizations such as the NAACP are confronting a time of uncertainty at the local, state, and national levels of government. Effective civic engagement and activism are paramount to our success. Together with our allies for social justice, your NAACP will continue to bring inspired people together to ensure our organizations remain engaged and relevant. We will hold people accountable.
Rev. Dr. DeLishia Davis
President
Also, Finance Committee
The duties of the Branch President shall be:
a. To preside at meetings of the NAACP Unit and act as Chair of the
Executive Committee.
b. To appoint the Chair and members of all Committees not otherwise
elected by the General Membership or the Executive Committee of
the NAACP Unit; except the Chair of the Youth Work Committee
of a Branch or State/State Area Conference.
c. Between meetings of the Executive Committee and the NAACP
Unit, to exercise general executive authority on behalf of the
NAACP Unit, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee.
d. To countersign all checks and properly supported requisitions for
disbursements from the NAACP Unit Treasury.
e. To perform such other functions and exercise such further duties as
may be voted from time to time by the NAACP Unit or the
Executive Committee.
f. To be an ex-officio member of all committees except, in the case
of State/State-Area Conferences, Branches and Prison Branches,
the Nominating Committee and Election Supervisory Committee,
and in the case of the State Youth and College Division, the Youth
Nominating Committee.
g. To encourage and assist all Committees in the development of their
programs and the performance of their duties.
h. To recommend, to the Executive Committee, the removal of any
Chairperson of a Standing or Special Committees.
Rosa Dunkley
1st Vice President
Elected Official
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
a. To perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence or
disability. In case of more than one Vice President, the Vice
Presidents shall be designated as first, second, third and so forth
and shall perform their duties according to their numerical rank.
b. In the event of the resignation, removal or death of the President,
the Vice President(s) shall automatically ascend to the position of
President, according to their numerical rank, for the remainder of
the term of the presidency. Any other Vice President(s) shall
ascend in the same manner.
Tia Alfred
2nd Vice President
Elected Official
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
a. To perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence or
disability. In case of more than one Vice President, the Vice
Presidents shall be designated as first, second, third and so forth
and shall perform their duties according to their numerical rank.
b. In the event of the resignation, removal or death of the President,
the Vice President(s) shall automatically ascend to the position of
President, according to their numerical rank, for the remainder of
the term of the presidency. Any other Vice President(s) shall
ascend in the same manner.
Kathleen McSweeney
Secretary
Also, Ex-Officio Member of All Committees
Elected Official
The duties of the Secretary shall be:
a. To act as Secretary of the NAACP Unit and the Executive
Committee; to give members notice of regular meetings and three
(3) calendar days notice of special meetings of the NAACP Unit
and Executive Committee; to keep full and accurate records of the
proceedings of the NAACP Unit and of the Executive Committee
and record the same in a minute book or minute books, provided
that, in NAACP Units employing paid staff, the responsibility of
giving the membership required notice of meetings shall be
discharged by said staff under the oversight of the Secretary.
b. To keep a record of all NAACP Unit members and their dues,
provided that wherever paid staff is employed such duties shall be
discharged by said staff under the oversight of the Secretary.
c. To give receipts for all membership fees received and to transmit
such fees to the NAACP Unit Treasurer; to send promptly to the
Association lists of all membership fees received; and to secure
from the Treasurer and forward to the Association that portion of
membership fees due to the Association.
d. To aid, coordinate and integrate the work of the several
committees and divisions of the NAACP Unit, provided that
wherever an Executive Director is employed such duties shall be
discharged by said Executive Director.
e. To submit reports to the NAACP Unit and the Executive
Committee at all regular meetings, or whenever required by either
body, covering the status of the NAACP Unit and its activities
since the date of the last report; to submit to the NAACP Unit at its
annual meeting an annual report of the status and activities of the
NAACP Unit, provided that, where an Executive Director is
employed, such duties shall be discharged by said Executive
Director. The Director shall forward a copy of all reports, when
adopted by the NAACP Unit, to the Association.
f. To keep the President and CEO of the Association informed of all
events affecting the interests of minority groups in the vicinity of
the NAACP Unit, and to submit to the Association, whenever
required by the Association, a report on NAACP Unit activities,
provided that, wherever an Executive Director is employed, such
duties shall be discharged by said Executive Director.
g. In conjunction with the President, to sign requisitions for
disbursements from the NAACP Unit Treasury and to maintain a
file of receipts and disbursements.
h. The Secretary shall be an ex-officio member of all committees
except the Nominating Committee and the Election Supervisory
Committee.
Vacant
Treasurer
Also, Finance Committee
Elected Official
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
a. To receive all monies of the NAACP Unit and promptly deposit the same in the name of the NAACP Unit in a separate account or accounts in a responsible bank or trust company. No money shall be withdrawn from any account except by check signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President.
b. To act as chief financial officer of the NAACP Unit and chair of the Finance Committee.
c. To make authorized disbursements upon requisition signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the President. Each requisition shall recite the amount and purpose of the payment requested. Any requisition exceeding one hundred dollars or more in the case of Branches, or twenty-five dollars or more in the case of College Chapters and Youth Councils, must be approved by the Executive Committee before a check therefore is issued. The NAACP Unit bylaws may require that requisitions in smaller amounts be approved by the Executive Committee.
d. To remit through the Secretary to the Association the proportion of membership fees to which the Association is entitled, as hereinafter provided, within fifteen calendar days after their receipt.
e. To submit reports to the NAACP Unit and the Executive Committee at all regular meetings, or whenever required by either body, covering the financial condition of the NAACP Unit showing receipts and disbursements and outstanding accounts unpaid since the last report; to submit an Annual Report to the business of his/her office at the Annual Meeting of the NAACP Unit, to which shall be appended a statement signed by the President and Secretary that all funds by the NAACP Unit have been listed in the Treasurer’s report. A copy of all reports by the Treasurer, when adopted by the NAACP Unit, shall be forwarded to the National Office.
f. All NAACP Units shall require the Treasurer to be bonded at the expense of said Unit.
g. Submit year-end financial reports to the National Office on or before March 1st
Adriana Spain
Assistant Treasurer
Also, Finance Committee
Elected Official
The duties of the Assistant Treasurer shall be to perform the duties of the Treasurer in his/her absence, unavailability,or disability. The Assistant Treasurer may perform specific duties of the Treasurer under the supervision of the Treasurer.
Whytni Kernodle
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
Kellen MacBeth
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
Laura Saul Edwards
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
James Younger, Esq.
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
Michael D. Hemminger
Immediate Past President (2023-2024)
Julius "JD" Spain, Sr.
Past President (2019-2022)
Karen Nightengale
Past President (2015-2018)
Freedom Fund, Chair & Awards Committee, Chair
Leah Maderal
Communications, Press & Publicity Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Garry Gaston
Economic Development Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Taja Iglesias
Health Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Amy Stitzel
Legal Redress Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Janmarie Peña
Political Action Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Vacant
Youth Council Advisor
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Standing Committees
Standing Committees of NAACP Branches
The Standing Committees of the Branches shall be
ACT-SO, Armed Services & Veterans Affairs
Communications, Press & Publicity
Community Coordination
Criminal Justice
Economic Development
Education
Environmental and Climate Justice
Finance
Freedom Fund
Health
Housing
Labor & Industry
Legal Redress
Membership and Life Membership
Political Action
Prison Branch
Religious Affairs
Young Adult
Youth Works
WIN
NAACP Arlington Branch History
Esther Georgia Irving Cooper, a landowner and resident of Arlington County organized the Arlington Branch of the NAACP in 1940. Dr. Herbert C. Marshall, the first president of NAACP Washington DC Branch assisted Mrs. Cooper in founding NAACP Arlington Branch. The first organization meeting was held in St. John Baptist Church, Arlington, VA. According to the former Branch President, William C. Butler, Sr., the first officers installed in October were as follows:
Esther Georgia Irving Cooper – President
Reverend Charles Green – Vice President
Jesse L. Washington – Treasurer
Emma Mosley – Entertainment Chair
Preston H. Harris, Esquire – Legal Redress
In 1940, the purpose of the NAACP Arlington Branch was to eradicate racial prejudice and eliminate racial discrimination in education, employment, housing, and civil rights. In 2023, the NAACP is still fighting for that same purpose. Our struggle has not ended, we need your help. Your membership and support for the programs of the NAACP Arlington Branch will help us realize our dream of true equality.
Since Mrs. Cooper’s thirteen years of leadership (1940 – 1953), NAACP Arlington Branch has been led by other dedicated presidents, including the following:
Reverend James Browne, Late ’50s
Carl Ferguson Late ’50s
Reverend Chester Murray ’60s
Judge Thomas Monroe ’60s
Reverend Ronald Williams Early ’70s
William C. Butler, Sr. 1975 – 1988
Robert D. McGregor, Jr. 1988 – 1996
Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr. 1997 – 1998
Voncile Trotter Hines 1998 – 2000
Dr. Talmadge Williams 2000 – 2008
Elmer L. H. Lowe, Sr. 2008 – 2014
Karen Nightengale 2015 – 2018
Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr. 2019 – 2022
Michael Hemminger 2023 – Present