APRIL 4-5, 2008
Greater Mt. Zion Church

The Southern Maryland Symposium on Race, Justice and Citizenship

Featuring Harvard University Professor
and Civic Activist

Dr. Charles Ogletree

In Memory of the 40th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Includes:

• Keynote Speaker
• Continental Breakfast and Lunch
• Vendors/Exhibitors
• Choice of more than 20 Breakout Sessions

Strands:

• Strategies for Eliminating the Achievement Gaps/NCLB
• Diversity/Human Relations/Cross Cultural
• Understanding
• Positive School Climate
• Parent/Community Involvement

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2008
Time: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Place: Great Mills High School

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NAACP Wins Heritage Recognitions

On April 5, 2006, the St. Mary's County Board of Education in collaboration with the local Branch of the NAACP held a dedication ceremony in order to recognize significant contributions made by African Americans to the public schools.    More Information

UCAC Publishes Book on Segregated Schools

In Relentless Pursuit of an Education: African American Stories from a Century of Segregation 1865-1967, a recently released book featuring local oral history collected by the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions, is a must-read for NAACP members. Not only is the book an important new resource in terms of local African American history in general, but it includes little known history of the local NAACP branch activities as well. In the chapter on desegregation, former NAACP president Theodore Newkirk relates the struggles to integrate the county schools. Information on lawsuits filed against the Board of Education is included along with oral history from Joan Groves Briscoe who, accompanied by her brother Conrad, entered Great Mills High School under court order in 1958. Joan and Conrad were the first African American students to attend a "white" school and the County did not formally end the dual segregated system until 1967. In Relentless Pursuit is available at local libraries and bookstores.    More Information

BRANCH MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE

Non-Asian American students of color all across the nation are, on the average, getting lower grades than white and Asian American students. In fact, by the time African American and Hispanic students graduate from high school, they are achieving at about the same level as white eighth-grade students. That's a four-year difference -- a gap of four years.

Last November, Dr. Martirano convened the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Eliminating the Achievement Gap. Approximately 40 people were appointed to the task force including Branch President Bowman, Branch Treasurer Bob Lewis, Education Chair Janice Walthour, and At-Large Executive Committee Member Alonzo Gaskin, as well as about four other Branch members. The task force was divided into five working sub-committees: Instructional Quality, Quality Workforce, Parent/Community/Business Partnerships, Intervention & Special Programs, and Cultural Diversity.    More Information

The Cocoonery, by Merideth Taylor
NAACP Benefit in April 2006

Premiere performance of play set in St. Mary's County poorhouse during the Civil War. Tickets will be available starting in March for the 2:00 PM April 23 benefit performance. Mark your calendars now for this exciting production. All proceeds from this performance will benefit the local branch of the NAACP

After the full length play, Dr. Iris Carter Ford and Ms. Agnes Kane Callum will respond giving the play more meaning within the context of local history.     More Information

Public School Officials Appoint Local NAACP Members to New Blue Ribbon Task Force

November 2005:  Local members including William "Nace" Bowman, Alonzo Gaskin, Francine Dove Hawkins, Bob Lewis, Elfreda Mathis, and Janice Walthour will serve on a committee tasked with eliminating the racial and economic achievement gap in the local public schools.