St. Petersburg Branch NAACP 2017 accomplishments

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” (Martin Luther Dr King Jr.)

The St. Petersburg Branch NAACP has worked tirelessly since its reorganization in Sept. 2015 to take measured steps toward the goal of social justice within St. Petersburg.  We have also worked to regain the trust of our community and to reignite a fire for the quest for social justice of not only the oppressed but the oppressor.

It is within that vein that the St. Petersburg Branch NAACP would like to report to its members and the community our accomplishments for 2017!

• Began advocacy for the City of St. Petersburg to increase representation of African American firefighters in the management ranks, there has only been 7 in the history of the St. Petersburg Fire Department

• Initiated public records request with City of St. Petersburg for plans for the $100,000 for a comprehensive plan for south St. Petersburg, to verify claims of reduction of poverty in south St. Petersburg, and laying the foundation to challenge the lease agreement of the Manhattan Casino to the Callaloo group

• Advocated directly on behalf of Assistant Principal as a result of disparate treatment

• Advocated for the termination of Campbell Park Principal Christine Hoffman

• Advocated for employment on behalf of African American police officer

• Began advocacy efforts to lobby St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission to support the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Juvenile justice reform on direct filing juveniles to the adult system

• Began advocacy for discrimination against SPPD Police Cadet

• Advocated on behalf of Azalea Middle School Student

• Partnered with Upper Pinellas County Branch NAACP for the removal of 2 African American teachers from a hostile and racially tense school setting

• Hosted the 2017 Emancipation Proclamation Service & Installed new officers and executive committee members resulting from a successful 2016 election process

• Supported and participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and Parade

• Recruited five youth facilitators and 25 youth for the youth works committee, laying the foundation to build a NAACP youth council

• Collaborated with other community groups to host a candidate’s forum for the St. Petersburg Mayor’s race and the St. Petersburg City Council District 6 race

• Organized and carried out a successful Get-Out-The-Vote campaign in conjunction with other community groups

• Hosted the 2017 Freedom Fund Celebration in honor of Juneteenth. The Celebration held in the community drew over 500 guests to the grounds of the Historic McCabe UMC

• Within the course of the year supported 27 Black owned businesses to support the Freedom Fund Celebration

• Hosted discussions on racism in our own city following the Charlottesville violence

• Hosted discussion on racism within the criminal justice system with focus on the juvenile justice system

• Hosted very successful parent education forums

• President participated in Fred G. Minnis Bar Association juvenile justice forum

• Partnered with Bill Edwards group, Jameis Winston and others to provide FEMA registration assistance for 600 individuals and fed 1,500 individuals for Hurricane Irma relief

• Underwent a successful audit and submitted report to the national NAACP office

• Received notification from the National Office that Branch No. 5130 is working in full compliance with the national procedures and expectations

• Increased Membership by 57% from 2016

• Had representation at the NAACP Florida State Conference and all Quarterly Meetings

• Hosted 11 Executive Committee Meetings during the year with 90-100% of Executive Committee members regularly in attendance at these meetings…

• Hosted the Annual Meeting in conjunction with holiday celebration

Maria Scruggs

The work has been arduous but worthy.  It is our hope that as the St. Petersburg Branch NAACP continues its call for unity in our community, that community and political leaders in this city recognize that the sun will never shine on all, when concepts of sustainability and economic viability are discussed and those same leaders remain disengaged from the pursuit of social and economic justice for all.

Maria L. Scruggs, President, St. Petersburg Branch NAACP