Since its inception, the Vancouver Branch has continued its efforts to improve equality and justice in our community. Wherever there is a need, we are there to advocate for equal treatment and justice for all people. Our successes are in-part due to collaboration with and the support of like-minded individuals and organizations in our community who share our dream and goal; a world where the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the accepted rather then exceptional.
Our Mission The Vancouver Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People shall work to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Established in 1945
This branch began serving the community in 1945. World War II and better paying jobs in the shipyards of Vancouver and Portland brought about the single largest increase in Vancouver's black population. After the war, many black families decided to stay here seeking the American Dream of upward mobility through jobs, housing and education.* Branch 1139 was founded to combat and eradicate the racial discrimination that confronted these citizens in their pursuit of that dream.
*Read more about the history of African Americans in Vancouver: First Families of Vancouver's African American Community from WWII to the 21st Century by Jane Elder Wulff, published 2012 by our branch is available for purchase. $20 plus shipping. Email here.
Objectives
From the NAACP Constitution--the principal objective of the Association shall be: To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens. To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among U.S. citizens. To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights. To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination. To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and To take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.
Bridgette Fahnbulleh, President The year 2018 marks an important time for NAACP Vancouver as I start to build internal capacity of the NAACP standard committees. My goal for the upcoming year is to increase membership and provide support to the Community in addressing racism and injustice. I also hope to secure our first staff position. I am joining other organizations in an effort to create Vancouver’s first Multi-Cultural Center. There is a strong need in Clark County for culturally affirming resources to inspire and support our diverse community members. Many people are feeling culturally isolated. The NAACP can help to address these issues, enrich our community, and help us reach our potential of a more inclusive and diverse community. I grew up at the center of social activism in East Polo Alto, California. One of my earliest memories is a field trip to the Black Panthers Party headquarters in San Francisco. They were very kind to us and impressed on us the responsibility to help others. They emphasized helping the poor. I share these words of Maya Angelou with my grandchildren: “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise.”
Officers below left to right are: Jasmine Tolbert, Vice President, Ruby Lewis, Secretary, Carol Collier, Treasurer, and Claudia Carter, Asst. Treasurer.