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A group of African-American
residents in greater Portland, Maine
establish the Portland Branch of the NAACP in 1964
The Portland, Maine NAACP Branch is active in the local community as
well as throughout the state. We have fought racism and prejudicial discrimination
from one end of this state to the other. Yet, here we are nearly half
a century later and often find we face the same old issues. It is time for Maine
to be a glowing example of a state that both accepts and embraces the beauty and benefits
of a multi/cultural, multi/racial community. In order for this harmony to exist, we must become
tolerant of each other, offering love and respect to each other on every
level.
Upcoming Events
MOTHER LOVENIA T. WILLIAMS
2005 Scholarship Essay Competition
Submission deadline: March 15, 2005
In honor of Mother Lovenia T. Williams, the Portland branch of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People established a scholarship
essay competition as a demonstration of our shared commitment to education
and in recognition of the work on educational equity that Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., accomplished during his life. The NAACP will annually
present three scholarships to Maine high school seniors who share this same
dedication to education. The scholarships will be awarded to those who
emphasize how the teachings of Dr. King have influenced their lives and
future educational goals. The recipient must be a member of the NAACP in
good academic standing.
- The application consists of a five-page, double-spaced essay along with a
cover letter that outlines your academic achievement, extra-curricular
activities, and community service. The essay should be introspective and
demonstrate a high quality of critical thinking, not simply a history
lesson or chronology of events. It should genuinely present how Dr. King’s
legacy and message have impacted your life.
- Scholarship award levels are $1,000 for first place, with second and third
place prizes of $500 each. Deadline for submission is March 15, 2005. Please
mail materials to NAACP Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 3631, Portland, Maine
04104. No faxed copies or e-mail versions will be accepted.
- An award presentation will be held during the 3rd Annual NAACP Celebration
of Excellence in Education ceremony scheduled for April 29, 2005.
Please contact Regina Phillips at 253-5074 or email
naacpportland@hotmail.com
with any questions or to request further information.
YOUTH BRANCH MEETINGS
Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m., 75 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Casey Family Services Building, Portland
Youth Branch meetings are now being held at the same time as general membership meetings.
All youth are welcome and encouraged to attend.
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, January 26, 5:00 p.m., Resource Hub, 441 Congress Street, Portland
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 1, 2:30 p.m., Portland City Hall, Room 209
OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY ARTS
Ongoing
Based in Portland's East End neighborhood, the Open Door Community Arts program of People's Regional
Opportunity Program (PROP) seeks collaborations with our neighbors, local artists, educators
and community resources to enchance relationships between non-familial adults and youth. To volunteer,
collaborate or for more information on programs, please contact Merril Abramson at (207) 650-1030 or
email at maa@propeople.org.
PINE TREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FAIR HOUSING TESTING
Ongoing
This is a unique opportunity
to fight discrimination in housing. By filling out and sending Pine Tree's Tester File
Information form to Pine Tree Legal Assistance (see mailing instructions on form), you can begin the
process of getting trained and then going out on tests. The training for testers
takes 2 or 2.5 hours. Usually, a tester is assigned to contact a landlord for his or
her first test immediately after the training. Pine Tree does the trainings on
Saturday mornings at about 10:00 a.m.
The stipend for the training is $25.00. Then the tester is paid $30.00 for each
completed test. The tester will not be paid the $25.00 if he or she does not complete
their test. Under HUD regulations Pine Tree must do a criminal background check on
each tester, and cannot use testers who have been convicted of felonies or of fraud
or perjury.
They definitely want some NAACP testers. Contact Rachelle Parise (rparise@ptla.org) for more information.
3RD ANNUAL NAACP CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Friday, April 29
Celebrating the accomplishments of students of color in graduating from
institutions of higher education and to promote the pursuit of scholarship
and life-long learning. Additional information will be posted at a later date.
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NAACP MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the national association for the advancement of colored people is to ensure the political,
educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and
racial discrimination.
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What the NAACP is all about ...
The Largest and The Oldest ...
Founded in 1909 by a multi-racial group of citizens committed to special justice, The National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has attracted over 20,000,000 members in its ninety-three
year history.
The Baddest and Boldest...
From anti-lynching legislation and Brown vs. Board of Education to the Confederate flag and racial
profiling, the NAACP has never been afraid to take on controversial and unpopular issues in order to
remain on the cutting edge of the civil rights struggle.
The Most Loved and Most Hated...
Because the fight for civil rights still has its enemies, the NAACP has many passionate detractors.
But the loyalty and affection of our members, friends, and supporters is unsurpassed.
The Most Feared and Revered...
Over nine decades of hard-fought achievement in the battle for civil rights has earned the NAACP respect
of both our friends and enemies. The NAACP's focus on timely, relevant issues gains the trust of victims
and the trepidation of those who would discriminate.
The Most Cussed and Discussed...
When the NAACP speaks, people listen. When the NAACP acts, people notice. Still relevant ninety-three
years later, the NAACP continues to inspire dialogue and debate about civil rights in America.
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Events