WS Chronicle

The Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, third vice president of the North Carolina Conference of NAACP Branches, has formally announced that he is a candidate to become the civil rights organization’s next permanent state president now that Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is stepping away from the post he’s held for 12 years.

Meanwhile Melvin “Skip” Alston, who previously served as NC NAACP president from 1996 – 2005, has dismissed rumors that he is interested in running for his old job again, but did say that he will support N.C .NAACP First Vice President Carolyn Coleman if she decides to run for president. Ms. Coleman says she has not decided yet.

The news comes as Rev. Barber prepares to join the national “Poor People’s Campaign” to draw attention to issues of poverty as the country prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s original Poor People’s Campaign next year.

Rev. Dr. Spearman is presently the senior pastor of St. Phillip A.M.E. Zion Church in Greensboro.

In a May 20 letter emailed to “members of the N.C. NAACP,” Rev. Spearman, who also serves as president of the N.C. Council of Churches, announced that he has “filed as a candidate for [N.C. NAACP president] in our next election.”

“Every vote is important, and I am asking for your support to become the next president of the N.C. NAACP,” Rev. Spearman continued. “Continue the fight with me. Nothing is too hard for God. I invite you to contact me with your questions, concerns, and ideas. Hear the cry on the battlefield – ‘Forward together and not one step back!’ ”

He has been third vice president of the N.C. NAACP for six years, in addition to being chair of the Religious Affairs Committee, and president of the Hickory NAACP Branch for two years.

Though no one else at press time has made it known that they’ve also officially file for the NC NAACP presidency, Rev. Spearman has already attracted the support of attorney Alan McSurely, one of Rev. Barber’s closest lieutenants.

Though former N.C. NAACP President Melvin “Skip” Alston denied that he has any intention of entering his name into the race this October, he made clear during a telephone interview Sunday that he is willing to support First Vice President Carolyn Coleman of Greensboro if she runs.

“I’m not interested in running for state conference president anymore,” Alston said.

In a telephone call to Ms. Coleman Monday morning, she said that according to the NAACP Constitution, she, as first vice president, would automatically fill out the rest of Rev. Barber’s term in office once he leaves in June. However, she has not decided whether she will do that.

Coleman also said that neither has she decided to run for the state presidency in October. Ms. Coleman did say that more candidates are expected to enter between now and June 15.