MS NAACP August 2018 Newsletter

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On Saturday, August 11, 2018, MS NAACP members convened in Tunica, Mississippi to discuss upcoming projects and ongoing association programs at the August 2018 State Business Meeting. During the meeting, attendees discussed how the association is aligning with its target objectives and considered ways members can contribute to the organization’s overall success.

Among the leaders present were National NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson; NAACP Chairman, Leon W. Russel; NAACP Youth & College Director, Tiffany Loftin; Executive Director of American Red Cross, John Brown; and National Wildlife Federation’s Director of Urban Initiatives, Simone Lightfoot.

To top off the meeting, Executive Director Dr. Corey Wiggins provided a preview of what members can expect at the 73^rdAnnual MS NAACP State Convention & Policy Institute to be held November 8-10, 2018 in Bay St. Louis, MS.

The need for workforce development across the southern United States is proven by the scarcity of jobs available to men and women of color. Recent reports by the National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and St. Louis echo this sentiment, with findings that indicate that educational and employment inequities deprive people of color of their right to fully experience “the American dream.”

MS NAACP Executive Director Dr. Corey Wiggins developed his thoughts on the topic in a Clarion-Ledger opinion editorial entitled, Racial equity key to the economic future of the South.

Click to read the full editorial.

Mississippi NAACP recently submitted comments to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid strongly opposing a work requirement in Mississippi.

In August, MS NAACP joined advocates and community groups from across the state to submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) opposing a proposed change to Medicaid. The state recently joined a handful of states seeking federal permission to require Medicaid recipients to prove they work at least 20 hours a week or participate in an approved work activity before receiving health coverage.

The proposal creates a Catch-22 situation in which even enrollees who managed to comply with a work requirement could still lose their coverage. Mississippi has some of the worst health outcomes in the country, and African Americans in the state disproportionately bear the burden of these negative outcomes. This policy would unfairly and disproportionately affect African Americans, especially those living in small towns and rural communities.

In the comments, Dr. Corey Wiggins, MS NAACP Executive Director, outlines the need for unrestricted Medicaid coverage and argues that it is a fundamental right of all people in this country to have access to quality, affordable healthcare.

“We want every police department in our state to proactively work to protect people from unnecessarily violent treatment by law enforcement officers,” said Charles R. Hampton, MS NAACP president.

This month, the Mississippi State Conference NAACP (MS NAACP) called for an in-depth investigation of the Meridian Police Department (MPD) following the unlawful tasering of an unarmed Black man by an MPD officer.

The July 14 dash cam footage shows Officer Daniel Starks violently assault the handcuffed African-American man and subsequently tase him, inflicting a brutal and unwarranted amount of force and perpetuating a pattern of law enforcement misconduct.

MS NAACP President Charles R. Hampton weighed in on the incident saying, “We want every police department in our state to proactively work to protect people from unnecessarily violent treatment by law enforcement officers. We cannot tolerate discriminatory and abusive policing, and it will take community leaders, advocates and activists, citizens, and law enforcement agencies working together to disrupt this cycle.”

While Mr. Starks has since been relieved from the Meridian Police Dept., the MS NAACP is advocating for a heightened sense of accountability for law enforcement agencies across the state toprevent similar incidents.

Read the full statement.

“We have to keep the information flowing. We have to keep telling the young folks that you have to keep the battles going.”

For the last 20 years, Bobbie Bingham Morrow has been a member of the Vicksburg Branch of the MS NAACP and has made it her mission to preserve the organization’s history and call every generation towards activism. For more than four decades, Morrow worked for the federal government, serving as a clerk typist and stenographer to her position now as Records Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Enterprise Information Technology.Currently, she serves as the Secretary of the Vicksburg Branch NAACP and previously held the position of Treasurer. The Vicksburg Branch NAACP was the first to become established in Mississippi and is celebrating its 100^thyear, and Morrow says that some of the important actions the NAACP has taken in its history were the fight to end lynching and gain African-Americans the right to vote. To her, it’s important to share and learn history from those that have lived through it, and she encourages the older generations to pull their children and grandchildren toward activism. As a youth advisor, she led young people into the community on voter registration drives, including her own grandchildren. She feels that people must learn the power of their votes.

“It’s just so important to get out and vote. People don’t understand that everything we do in our society — the clothes we wear, food we eat, water systems, school systems, everything relies on votes,” she says.

Morrow has earned countless accolades, from the Citizen of the Year Award presented to her by Eta Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in 2016 to the Woman Empowering Her Community Award from Mountain of Faith Ministries. In 2014, she received the Unita Blackwell Trailblazer Social Action Award presented to her by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, of which she’s also a member. She’s received awards for her work in civilian service, communications, and leadership, and doesn’t intend to slow down.

For her dedication to youth activism and voting rights for all, Ms. Bobbie Bingham Morrow is the August Member of the Month.

The November 2018 midterm elections are right around the corner, and you do not want to miss out on your opportunity to have your voice heard!

To vote on Election Day, eligible voters must register at least 30 days before the election and may do so by mail or in person at the local city clerk’s office.

Click here for full instructions on how to register.

Having a working knowledge of the economy is essential to securing access to financial freedom. With this in mind, Wells Fargo and the MS NAACP hosted its first Financial Literacy seminar on July 28, 2018, in Gulfport, MS. At the seminar, association members and friends received an introductory lesson on economics and practical financial tips for everyday life.

Throughout the seminar, Wells Fargo representatives, including the Community Outreach Consultant and the Vice President/Senior Community Development Officer, presented invaluable information to attendees and took the opportunity to make a groundbreaking announcement about a new program to strengthen low-to-moderate income communities in Mississippi.

READ THE FULL WELLS FARGO ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW:

Announcement: To continue the philanthropic efforts of Wells Fargo, Mississippi has been selected for the Neighborhood LIFT program. This is an initiative of $2.5M to boost home ownership and strengthen low-to-moderate income communities across Mississippi. One benefit of this program, $7,500 will be granted to first-time home buyers as down-payment assistance. Additionally, an extra $2,500 will be granted to veterans, service members, teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. These funds can be used with any lender. The official announcement by Wells Fargo will be made in October.