NAACP Columbus Founder's Day Program Book 2023

Shaping the Black Agenda

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

The Westin Great Southern 310 South High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215

NAACP Founders

In 1908, a deadly race riot rocked the city of Springfield, eruptions of anti-black violence –particularly lynching – were horrifically commonplace, but the Springfield riot was the final tipping point that led to the creation of the NAACP. Appalled at this rampant violence, a group of white liberals that included Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard (both the descendants of famous abolitionists), William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moscowitz issued a call for a meeting to discuss racial justice. Some 60 people, seven of whom were African American (including W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Mary Church Terrell), signed the call, which was released on the centennial of Lincoln's birth.

On February 12, 1909, the nation's largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization was born.

Echoing the focus of Du Bois' Niagara Movement for civil rights, which began in 1905, NAACP aimed to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, which promised an end to slavery, provide equal protection of the law, and the right for all men to vote, respectively. Accordingly, the NAACP's mission is to ensure the political, educational, equality of minority group citizens of States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP works to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.

The national office was established in New York City in 1910 as well as a board of directors and president, Moorfield Storey, a white constitutional lawyer and former president of the American Bar Association. Other early members included Joel and Arthur Spingarn, Josephine Ruffin, Mary Talbert, Inez Milholland, Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, Sophonisba Breckinridge, John Haynes Holmes, Mary McLeod Bethune, George Henry White, Charles Edward Russell, John Dewey, William Dean Howells, Lillian Wald, Charles Darrow, Lincoln Steffens, Ray Stannard Baker, Fanny Garrison Villard, and Walter Sachs. Despite a foundational commitment to multiracial membership, Du Bois was the only African American among the organization's original executives. He was made director of publications and research and in 1910 established The Crisis, the acclaimed publication of the NAACP.

Presented to the Columbus Branch of the NAACP in recognition of it's First Annual Founders Day event

On behalf of the citizens of the Third Congressional District of Ohio, I am pleased to recognize the Columbus NAACP Founders Day Luncheon. Celebration and recognition of their Life Members is certainly in order.

Founded in 1915, the Columbus Branch is a part of the boldest and oldest civil rights organizations committed to ensuring rights and eliminating racism. They are at the forefront of the change for Black People in Columbus, and this year's theme, "Shaping the Black Agenda" is timely and appropriate. Honoring Life Members and those who have contributed to the Columbus NAACP's success over the years is commendable.

The NAACP Columbus Branch mission is clear as it fights back against voter suppression laws, unfair redistricting, advocating for economic policies to assist Black Entrepreneurs and workers, and fighting for reimagined policing.

Being on the front lines of change, progress and advocacy is not just a tag line, and the Branch continues to honor those Life Members being recognized today.

Today, April 25, 2023, I commend and congratulate the Columbus, Ohio Branch of the NAACP on its First Annual Founders Day event and wish this pioneering organization continued success.

Member of Congress, OH-03

Shaping the Black Agenda

Gold Level Sponsors:

Bronze Level Sponsors:

To

Celebrate the NAACP Columbus Branch in Recognition of the NAACP Founders Day Luncheon

WHEREAS, the Columbus branch of the NAACP was organized on February 18, 1915, as part of the national NAACP, which is universally recognized as the nation’s oldest, largest grassroots-based civil rights organization with more than a half of a million members and supporters around the world; and

WHEREAS, on April 25, 2023 theColumbus branch will host an NAACP Founders Day luncheon in recognition of the leaders who played a significant role in establishing the vision and mission of the NAACP in the fight for civil and human rights without discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP Columbus branch is active in the community and consistently works to address racial disparities and support programs and initiatives to advance equity in education, healthcare, criminal justice, jobs, and housing; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP Founders Day luncheon will be an opportunity to recognize community leaders who have been honored as lifetime members of the NAACP for their significant contributions to the causes most important to the organization; and

WHEREAS, the City of Columbus commends these leaders and the NAACP for their important work in addressing lingering inequities in our community; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council celebrates the NAACP Columbus branch in recognition of the NAACP Founders Day luncheon, to be held April 25, 2023 at the Westin Great Southern in Columbus.

SHANNON G. HARDIN, PRESIDENT | ROB DORANS, PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE NICHOLAS J. BANKSTON | LOURDES BARROSO de PADILLA | MITCHELL J. BROWN | SHAYLA D. FAVOR | EMMANUEL V. REMY

In Recognition of the COLUMBUS CHAPTER OF THE NAACP

For its UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO MAKING CENTRAL OHIO A MORE EQUITABLE SOCIETY

WHEREAS, African Americans have historically endured unrelenting discrimination in the United States, which sparked the creation of the NAACP and served as an impetus to the organization becoming one of the most honored and respected civil-rights advocates nationwide; and,

WHEREAS, on February 12, 1909, the NAACP was formed in New York City by white and Black activists after years of ongoing violence against African Americans around the country, and was followed by the creation of a Columbus chapter six years later equally dedicated to ensuring human rights and eliminating racism; and,

WHEREAS, each year the Columbus branch of the NAACP hosts an annual Founders Day Luncheon, scheduled this year on April 25TH and is titled "Shaping the Black Agenda" and which will honor the organization's lifetime members who have contributed to its success; and,

WHEREAS, the Columbus chapter of the NAACP has played an instrumental role in improving the lives of Black Franklin County residents and is credited with being a catalyst for the creation of a civilian review board for the Columbus Division of Police and a Gun Violence Summit for area judges, as well as ensuring a stronger financial future for African Americans with home-buyer education to help families accumulate wealth and work development programs so families can earn middle-class wages and more; and,

WHEREAS, the Columbus branch of the NAACP provides support to help those who have been discriminated against and deprived of advancement by offering myriad programs, including work development, financial literacy, youth programs, voting rights, health education, and more; and,

WHEREAS, the Founders Day Luncheon is a time to remember and be thankful for the NAACP's historic, unwavering commitment to the advancement of and equitable treatment for Black Americans and is worthy of commendation; now, therefore, upon motion of Commissioner Crawley, seconded by Commissioner Boyce;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO:

Letter to the Community

To the Columbus Community,

In 2017, I, along with a group of individuals known as the Unity Team successfully ran for leadership positions on the NAACP Executive Committee. Our platform was fiscal accountability, increased membership, and changing policies that negatively affected the Columbus Black community. We continue to work to realize those goals!

We fought and will continue to fight for social justice to eradicate systemic discrimination.

We speak for the voiceless to make sure that their smallest echoes are heard.

We advocate to change policies that adversely affect Black people so that those polices can be positively addressed/changed.

The Columbus Unit NAACP is a volunteer agency. We collectively utilize our time and energies as a civil rights agency to advocate for Justice, Equity, and Equality.

Let's take a look at our record.

Our Advocacy Efforts:

Game Changer – Criminal Justice:

The City of ColumbusAdvocated for body cameras for our police officers and participated in selecting the body cameras in conjunction with the Columbus Police Department.

Results: Every Columbus Police Officer has a body camera.

Demanded Civilian Review Board with subpoenas power. Results: The NAACP was placed on the committee to recommend individuals to serve.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office –

Requested that a body camera process be placed on a high-level alert.

Results: Most Deputies have body cameras.

Requested a plan to recruit Black deputies and for deputies to participate in implicit bias training.

Results: Implicit bias training was conducted.

Requested a recruitment plan for the department.

Results: In Progress

Game Changer - Economic Sustainability

Building Trades -

Collaborated with the Building and Trades Union to increase the number of Blacks working on Columbus Union projects enabling them to make the wages they rightfully deserved.

Results: Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) - Made history when our Columbus City Council approved the Community Benefits Agreement by establishing an advisory committee that would review and monitor contracts on city construction projects to ensure that Black companies are rightfully included on construction projects.

Financial Institutions –

Forwarded a Letter to financial institutions requesting a response to selected inquiries including the number of Blacks in key Executive/Management positions; the procurement dollars spent with Black Businesses on Construction projects and on Goods and Services.

Results: Only one affirmative response was received which places Columbus area Banking and Financial Institutions on our radar for monitoring and compliance.

Requested that a financial advisory board be established to accomplish this task

Results: In Progress

Game Changer -Housing

Community Shelter Board (CSB) –

Demanded the reimagining of the 30-year-old city/county agency that an assessment be conducted to determine new ways to address homeless people in our community.

Results: Resignation of the Agency's CEO. The City and County funded an assessment that will be conducted by an outside entity.

Affordable Housing –

Recommended to the City and County the establishment of a committee to address housing issues and concerns.

Results: Accomplished Positive change as a committee was established.

Community Conversations

City of Columbus Chief of Police and Safety Director resulted in the demonstration of body camera use.

AEP discussed outages in Black populated communities resulting in the establishment of a community roundtable consisting of community leaders and social service agencies to determine the appropriate communication vehicles and best practices to effectively communicate with the Black community and to provide timely responses when these outages occur.

Action Items

Communications -

*Issued Press Releases

Killings of Andre Hill, Tracy Goodson and Devante Lewis.

*Aggressively worked to end the Columbus City School Strike.

*Encouraged Ohio Attorney General to expedite investigations into the -Hill, Goodson, and Lewis - fatal shootings.

Ongoing Goals for 2023:

*Completion of a new website.

*Developing an aggressive Black Agenda to move the needle on positive social and economic redresses.

*Developing a scholarship for Black students to continue their educational pursuits.

*Developing a Black business membership campaign.

*Developing a scorecard to rate Columbus area corporations on their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) practices and efforts including the number of Blacks in the C- Suite and their governing Board of Trustees alongside Black representation in key Executive/Management positions. This scorecard will include a Supplier Diversity component aimed at examining the amount of their procurement dollars spent with Black businesses.

In conclusion, please know that despite our achievements and involvement in selected affairs, our work is not done.

We will continue our fight! We will continue our advocacy to achieve the NAACP's long-standing mission of 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.

On behalf of the NAACP, we ask for your continued support and assistance in these efforts!

Thank you.

President

Columbus NAACP #3177

Founders Day Program

Rodney Dunigan, Assistant News Director - WSYX ABC 6 Master of Ceremony

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Antoine Lee, Violinist

Welcome and Goal of the Day Nana Watson

Columbus NAACP President

Invocation

Opening Remarks

Reverend Dr. Joel L. King, Jr.

Columbus NAACP 1st Vice President

Mayor Andrew J Ginther City of Columbus

Lunch is Served

A Word from our Sponsor

Marc Reitter, President & CEO American Electric Power - Ohio

Keynote Address Dr. Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow

Brookings Metro

Conversation with Dr. Perry Amelia Robinson, Opinion and Community Engagement Editor The Columbus Dispatch

Presentation of the Otto Beatty , Jr. Warrior Award

Closing Remarks

Nana Watson

Columbus NAACP President

Benediction

Charity Martin - King

Columbus NAACP 3rd Vice President

Master of Ceremony

Rodney Dunigan, Assistant News Director, WSYX ABC 6

From anchoring, reporting and producing Rodney has done it all! He's now using those skills in a management capacity. As the assistant news director, he's tasked with helping our staff at WSYX ABC 6 to produce impactful stories with a distinctive focus on accountability reporting. Rodney is a dedicated journalist. His exclusive interviews and one of a kind reports have helped WSYX to become the market leader. Rodney's efforts caught the attention of WSYX's parent company. Corporate leaders selected him to participant in the Sinclair 'Emerging Leaders Program.' The program teaches high-potential managers skills critical for newsroom leadership.

Prior to Columbus, he worked as a reporter for WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida. At WFTS he also served as a Scripps "Leadership Champion" and ethics committee member. Rodney has a long reputation as a newsroom leader. Before Florida, he served as the morning anchor at WATN in Memphis, Tennessee. He's also spent time working in newsrooms in Nashville, Dayton and Jackson, Mississippi. His work over the years has helped Rodney earn several Associated Press awards and Emmy nominations. He's also been a part of news teams that won several Emmys for overall news excellence.

Rodney has been featured in several publications including the Communicator and Nashville's SixFifteen Magazine. He graduated from Tougaloo College in Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with an emphasis in journalism.

On a personal note, Rodney has a passion for serving the youth in the community. He's been involved with numerous community service programs with school districts as well as volunteering as a "Big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters. As a result of that commitment to the community, he was honored by Iota Phi Lambda Business & Professional Sorority. The organization highlighted Rodney as one of their "Outstanding Business Leaders."

A major part of his local community efforts includes being a 'service coordinator' for WSYX. In that position, Rodney helps to support station volunteer activities across Central Ohio. Working with a team to create service projects aimed at making a positive impact in the community. Rodney was also chosen to be an NABJ Leadership Academy Mentee. The academy trains NABJ members working in broadcast, print and digital who are current news and media managers, or interested in transitioning to leadership, to ascend to the executive suite.

He's also an avid runner, participating in a number of full and half marathons; including the Rock'N'Roll Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona, the Gupton Dodge Tom King Classic Half Marathon and the Music City Marathon. Rodney is a native of Chicago and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. His biggest accomplishment in life is his role as dad to his young daughter and son. On behalf of the NAACP, we ask for your continued support and assistance in these efforts!

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Andre M. Perry, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro

Dr. Andre Perry is a scholar-in-residence at American University, and a professor of practice of economics at Washington University.

A nationally known and respected commentator on race, structural inequality, and education, Perry is the author of the book "Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities," which is currently available wherever books are sold. Perry is a regular contributor to MSNBC and has been published by numerous national media outlets, including The New York Times, The Nation, The Washington Post, TheRoot.com and CNN.com. Perry has also made appearances on HBO, CNN, PBS, National Public Radio, NBC, and ABC.

Perry's research focuses on race and structural inequality, education, and economic inclusion. Perry's recent scholarship at Brookings has analyzed Black-majority cities and institutions in America, focusing on valuable assets worthy of increased investment.

Perry's pioneering work on asset devaluation has made him a go to researcher for policymakers, community development professionals and civil rights groups. Perry co-authored the groundbreaking 2018 Brookings Institution report "The Devaluation of Assets in Black Neighborhoods" and has presented its findings on the price of home in Black neighborhoods across the country, including to the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. He has extended that report's focus on housing in Black neighborhoods to include other assets such as businesses, schools and banks.

Prior to his work at Brookings, Perry has been a founding dean, professor, award-winning journalist, and activist in the field of education. In 2015, Perry served on Louisiana Governorelect John Bel Edwards' K-12 education transition committee, as well as on New Orleans Mayorelect Mitch Landrieu's transition team as its co-chair for education in 2010. In 2013, Perry founded the College of Urban Education at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Preceding his stint in Michigan, Perry was an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of New Orleans and served as CEO of the Capital One-University of New Orleans Charter Network.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Perry earned his Ph.D. in education policy and leadership from the University of Maryland College Park.

Shaping the Black Agenda

Community Sponsors

Columbus City Council

Columbus Downtown Development

Corporation

Columbus Urban League

Columbus Zoo And Aquarium

Community Shelter Board

Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Franklin County Children Service

IMPACT Community Action

Woda Cooper Companies

Table Sponsors

Columbus Baptist Ministerial Alliance

Columbus Baptist Pastors Conference

Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

Intel Corporation

YWCA

The Otto Beatty, Jr. Warrior Award

Otto Beatty, Jr., a former Ohio State Representative and patriarch of a Columbus Powerhouse Family, a father, grandfather, husband, friend to many, and a dedicated leader in the community. Otto Beatty, Jr. was a Silver Life Member of the Columbus NAACP Branch 3177. He willingly served his civil rights organization for decades.

Mr. Beatty left us in 2021, he will be forever missed, but his legacy will live on eternally. His accomplishments include earning his undergraduate and master's degrees in business from Howard University and a law degree from Ohio State University.

He served as special counsel to the state attorney general, a chairman of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, president of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association, and, most recently, on the Downtown Commission. As a state lawmaker, he was a vocal opponent of hate crimes. He advocated for keeping programs to help minority-owned businesses.

Otto Beatty Jr. was a faithful public servant who dedicated his life to fighting for our state's disadvantaged and marginalized people, ensuring they, too, have the opportunity to pursue their American dream right here in Ohio. He worked for the working people, advocated for minority businesses, and was a champion for Ohio families. He made a difference in the lives of countless people across our state.

With that spirit of assisting minority-owned businesses, we present the Otto Beatty, Jr. Warrior Award to Mr. Dan Moncrief, III, who embodies the values of Mr. Beatty. Mr. Moncrief has advocated for minority-owned companies for decades and the working community and assists the NAACP's civil rights work.

Like Mr. Beatty, when the NAACP calls, Mr. Moncrief answers and goes far above any request, challenge, or service requested of him. It is fitting that Dan Moncrief ,III be the inaugural recipient of this award.

Dan Moncrief, III

The Otto Beatty, Jr. Warrior Award Recipient

Current National President of the National Association of Minority Contractors. For more than a decade, he has served as the visionary President & Chief Executive Officer of McDaniel's Construction Corporation, Inc.

The company provides construction expertise primarily in the areas of heavy highway construction including roads and bridges, new building and commercial renovations, asphalt paving & environmental services. The firm has become one of Ohio's prominent construction contractors, meeting client demands for timely and efficient project completion at or under budget. Mr. Moncrief's activities center around organizational management, strategic planning, contract procurement, marketing and fiscal oversight.

His community commitment & industry knowledge has spurred his advocacy on behalf of minority businesses. As a founding member of OBAAO (Ohio Businesses Which Are African American Owned), the Buckeye Contractors Association and the Urban Business Professional Association (UBPA), Mr. Moncrief has played an instrumental role in the fight for reinstatement of Ohio House Bill 584 and ensuring that existing legislation and policies effectively address the needs of minority businesses. In recognition of his work and dedication, he was honored as the 1998 recipient of the Advocate of the Year Award from UBPA and the 2000 Minority Business of the Year Award from the City of Columbus Equal Business Opportunity Commission.

Currently, Mr. Moncrief is a member of the Central Ohio Transit Authority's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Committee, the National Associations of Minority Contractors and the Airport Minority Advisory Council. He has served as the 1999 President of the Columbus Chapter of the Ohio Contractors Association and holds membership in the Columbus Builders Exchange and a Silver Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Columbus Ohio Branch.

Thank you to all that contributed to the success of our

Shaping the Black Agenda

Thank You

NAACP Officers

Nana Watson, President

Rev. Dr. Joel L. King, 1st Vice President

Dr. Victor M. Davis, Pastor, 2nd Vice President

Charity Martin King, 3rd Vice President

NAACP Hosts and Hostesses

Brenda M. Davis, Secretary

Annie J. Ross – Womack, Treasurer

Louella Day – Jeter, Assistant Treasurer

Lawrence Auls, Economic Development Committee Chair

Tresalyn Butler , Women In The NAACP Committee Chair

Roderick Quincy Blount , Youth Works Committee Chair

Daryle Cobb, ACT-S) Committee Chair

Sonja Nelson, Housing Committee Chair

Adam Porter , Environmental Justice Committee Chair

Program Participants

Rodney Dunigan, WSYX ABC 6

Mayor Andrew M. Ginther, City of Columbus

Antoine Lee, Pickerington Central High School Student

Dr. Andre M. Perry, Brookings Metro

Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio

Amelia Robinson, The Columbus Dispatch

Vendors

Battiste LaFleur Galleria

By Faith Community Printing

Imagine That Entertainment

JW Media

The Candy Lady & Kids

The Columbus Symphony

Westin Great Southern Columbus

The NAACP would like to thank our event sponsors, this event would not have been possible without your financial support.

American Electric Power Foundation

American Electric Power Ohio

City of Columbus, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther

City of Columbus, Columbus City Council

Columbus Downtown Development Corporation

Columbus Urban League

Columbus Zoo And Aquarium

Columbus Baptist Ministerial Alliance

Columbus Baptist Pastors Conference

Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

Community Shelter Board

Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Franklin County Children Service

Friends of the NAACP Columbus Branch

IMPACT Community Action

Intel Corporation

McDaniel’s Construction Corporation

McTech General Contractors / Construction Management

Woda Cooper Companies

YWCA

ARE YOU AN NAACP MEMBER?

An NAACP Membership affords you the opportunity to become engaged with city and county leadership and be upfront before initiatives, projects and issues are presented to the public. You have a chance to sit at the table and assist in the planning of our community’s future…If that sounds like something that you want to do, then join the NAACP and serve on a committee.

There are 21 Standing Committees:

ACT-SO

Communications, Press & Publicity

Criminal Justice

Education

Finance

Health

Labor and Industry

Membership and Life Membership

Prison Branch

Armed Services & Veteran Affair’s

Community Coordination

Economic Development

Environmental and Climate Justice

Freedom Fund

Housing

Legal Redress

Political Action

Religious Affairs

Young Adult Youth Works

WIN

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