WS Chronicle

In photo above: The Winston-Salem Branch of the NAACP held its elections in its headquarters, seen here. (File photo.)

The North Carolina conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held its Women in NAACP Brunch/Gala and its 60th Woman-Mother of the Year Coronation in Winston-Salem on Saturday, May 30. Members from across the state were at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, where the event took place.

Someone who was not on the program was there, too. The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the N.C. NAACP, was there, his first public NAACP appearance after ending his sabbatical in Harlem.

Barber made the usual greetings and introductions, then asked for the presidents of the local branches to stand. No one from Winston-Salem stood.
Where was the Winston-Salem NAACP president?

The Winston-Salem Branch of the NAACP is in disarray. On Tuesday, May 26, members of the organization voted for the third time for their 2015 officers. The first and final election was supposed to have taken place on Nov. 19. However, questions about the election process clouded the first and second attempts to elect officers.

Now, Isaac “Ike” Howard has been elected president. However, he has no first vice president, secretary or assistant secretary to help him because no one was elected to those positions. It’s unclear how he will fill those positions.

Howard, who says he was unaware of the N.C. Women in NAACP event, says he and the newly elected executive committee will be at their first meeting as new elected officials on June 9. They have a lot of catching up to do.

Barber announced on May 30 that the NAACP-led Forward Together and Moral Monday Movement will hold workshops, a walk and rally for voting rights and justice on July 13 in Winston-Salem. That is when a federal judge will hear NC NAACP v. McCrory, the lawsuit “against the law designed to disenfranchise African- American and other anti-racism voters.”

Where was the Winston-Salem Branch of the NAACP when that announcement was made? Where will the organization be in just over a month when the big day comes? Will the branch allow others in the state to outshine it on this historic day?

Howard has yet to answer that question. However, one thing is sure: History will be made on July 13. The question is, will the Winston-Salem Branch of the NAACP be a part of it?