From December 1st – 3rd, the NAACP is bringing together community education organizers from across the country to provide them with training and tools to address local education issues. This year’s summit in Memphis, Tennessee will focus on the NAACP’s comprehensive education agenda that includes securing access to high quality education for all children – with an emphasis on lifting up disadvantaged students and students of color.
“It is critical that our children have access to the resources and educational opportunities they need to succeed,” stated NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous. “The Daisy Bates Summit will provide grassroots educational activists with the ability to advocate for these resources in their neighborhoods.”
“All of our children need the opportunity to obtain a high quality education if they are expected to succeed in a global economy,” stated NAACP Education Director Beth Glenn. “From early childhood learning environments that help them build literacy and language skills to college and career training, our students need advocates in their community to help usher in reforms and to ensure that access to resources are not reserved only for the financially privileged.”
In addition to the trainings, the Summit will honor Dr. Maxine A. Smith, Chairman Emeritus of the Education Committee of the NAACP’s National Board of Directors and former Executive Secretary of the Memphis Branch. Dr. Smith has an exemplary career as a freedom fighter for education justice in Tennessee and nationwide.
“Dr. Smith truly embodies the legacy of Daisy Bates. Her work to achieve educational justice in Tennessee has helped every student in the state receive a better education,” stated NAACP national board of directors chairman Roslyn Brock.
“Dr. Smith truly embodies the legacy of Daisy Bates. Her work to achieve educational justice in Tennessee has helped every student in the state receive a better education,” stated NAACP national board of directors chairman Roslyn Brock.
The late Daisy Bates was president of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and the advisor to the Little Rock Nine. In 1957, Bates structured a plan that called for the NAACP to register nine black students to attend the previously all-white Little Rock Central High. They were selected on the criteria of excellent grades and attendance. Despite mob threats and intimidation and cross burnings on her property, Daisy Bates persisted because of her strong beliefs in a quality education system for all of America’s children.
The NAACP has over 2200 branches and units, and each has an education committee.
Enviroshop is maintained by dedicated NetSys Interactive Inc. owners & employees who generously contribute their time to maintenance & editing, web design, custom programming, & website hosting for Enviroshop.