The President's Corner

September 2, 2007

Dear Indiana State Conference:

You have continued to be active and involved in your respective communities around the State. You attended the National Convention and National ACT-SO competition in Detroit, Michigan this summer and you brought home four National winners.

You made our 1st Youth Summit a resounding success. Much gratitude and love is extended to President Gary Leavell of Jeffersonville and the entire Youth Summit Committee. Over 100 youth participated in open and frank discussions about being a teen in 2007. The highlight for me was meeting the world-renowned sculpture, Ed Williams, who had created the Muhammad Ali Statue at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, as well as the statute of York, the slave who was present on the Lewis and Clarke expedition. All those in attendance both young and old fed off the energy of the other. I cant wait until next year.

Marlena Johnson Hill and the State Education Committee planned and executed another successful and informative Education Summit. The information was presented to empower the attendees and they were energized and empowered. Thank you Marlena.

The 4th Quarter State Board Meeting will be held Saturday, September 15, 2007, in Hammond at the Public Library, 564 State Street, Hammond, Indiana. We will be finalizing the plans for this years State Convention. Your input is needed. Dont forget your Lay-down Report. Our State Membership Chairperson, Cora Breckenridge, will be counting memberships that have been solicited since the National Convention.

Speaking of the State Convention, this years convention will be held October 26-28, 2007 in Hammond, Indiana at the Dynasty and Ramada Inn facilities. Confirmed speakers include: Rev. Nelson Rivers III, Hon. Vernon G. Smith, and Dr. Danita Johnson Hughes. Our workshop presenters are heavy hitters as well: Hilary Shelton, Hon. William Crawford, and Hon. Earline Rogers. This is an election year and if your unit is not incompliance, you cannot have delegates and you cannot vote.

Finally, I trust that all of you are participating in the Dollar or More Campaign. The NAACP (that means all of us) is soliciting $1.00 (or more) from every person in the country. I collected this summer from both my family reunions; the State WIN meeting that was hosted by the Gary Branch; and my reading club members. Please bring the money that you have collected to the Board meeting on the 15th. And, if you havent collected any, please start to do so today. Drive safely. See you on the 15th.