NORTH SAN DIEGO NAACP - A MISSION OF PEACE, HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY

NORTH SAN DIEGO NAACP – A MISSION OF PEACE, HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY

The North San Diego County NAACP serves 17 communities in North County and seeks to include and welcome all members. Satia Austin, President of the organization since 2013, became involved in 1998, as its youngest member. Austin came from New York as a young military wife. She attended MiraCosta College where she soon became President of the Black Student Union.

North San Diego NAACP Board of Directors

Austin said her involvement in the NAACP was motivated by the need to create opportunities for all people. As a mother of three young boys, she wanted to inspire them, and other children, and to help create a world where they could thrive. She added that “you can’t complain about something you’re not involved in” and her involvement in her community through the NAACP is part of a solution. They seek to eliminate disparities in education, health and economic development while striving to provide a voice for everyone along with a sense of worth and belonging. Austin asserts that it is important to be kind to everyone, be good neighbors and citizens.

While the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People organized 108 years ago, the local chapter of the NAACP was started in the 1960s by Charlesetta Allen, a resident of Oceanside’s Eastside neighborhood. Mrs. Allen, a pillar of her community, started to feed Marines and provide them a welcome place to be. Through one woman’s act of kindness a movement was born. Members met in homes in Oceanside and Vista. Long time members that are still active today include Willie Little and Gwen Sanders.

Currently, the organization has a 20 member board and a diverse membership of about 300. They welcome all ethnicities who wish to serve the community and help others succeed. They meet monthly on the third Thursday of each month in a local community building.

North San Diego NAACP Board of Directors

Today the North San Diego NAACP continues a mission of peace, hope and opportunity. President Austin said the chapter is involved in Operation Hope Vista, feeding the homeless, and “Back to School, Stay in School”, a program that provides free backpacks and school supplies to hundreds of students in grades K-12. In addition, the organization provides a mentoring program to assist young students and help them succeed.

The longest running events presented by the organization, is the Juneteenth Cultural Celebration for over 45 years and the Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast for over 30 years. Their other events include: The Dr. King Day of Service, an outreach partnership that brings together several other organizations, including MiraCosta College; Salute to Women of Color, in celebration of Women’s History month to honor women who make a contribution to the community; and a host of public forums, health fairs, educational opportunities and PSAT’s with the Princeton Review.

The NAACP supports the message of opportunity for all, encouraging everyone to do their part as a citizen. Austin echoes that message and includes “that if everyone would look past the hate we would have a better world to live in.”

If you want to get involved and make a difference, or for more information visit their website at www.nsdcnaacp.org

8 | Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Business Journal Spring 2018 | www.oceansidechamber.com