Salem Keizer Branch 1166

Salem, Oregon


Summer 2017 Report


Dear Officers, Executive Board Members and Friends,



We are moving further into summer 2017 and your SK Branch continues to be active, involved and engaged in continuing the FIGHT for Social Justice for all of our community. These efforts have stretched over numerous venues (public and private) with positive results. I’d like to share a few of them with you:


  • Oregon State Legislature: Passage of SB505 (formerly SB496) Grand Jury Reform in July. Signed into law by our Gov. Kate Brown
  • (Former) Sen. Margaret Carter and Gail Meyer- OCDLA Legislative Rep. presented at our March General Membership Meeting the importance of this legislation- the need for all individuals accused of a crime to have their attorney have access to Grand Jury testimony.
  • This was legislation that had been in the Oregon General Assembly (in one form or another) for more than thirty years.
  • This branch began the collective process of publicizing and organizing a planned approach to build support for its passage.
  • Testifying at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing (in March) allowed me to articulate our community’s interest.
  • We then were able to have the historic presence of the Presidents of all four NAACP branches (here in Oregon) along with their officers and members, join us in a Lobby Day at the Capitol on Monday June 12th.
  • Presidents- JoAnn Hardesty/ Portland, Fred Edwards/ Corvallis, Eric Richardson/ Springfield- Eugene and I met with legislators from both parties to impress the importance of their support on this and other legislation under consideration this session.


  • Salem Keizer School District: Creation of Director of Equity- Ms. Cynthia A. Richardson
  • Our Branch has been working with the SKSD Superintendent- Ms. Christy Perry and her predecessors for years making the case for the need to increase diversity in the District office leadership and in the schools (principals and teachers).
  • Superintendent Perry has taken a major step in that direction with this new position.
  • Credit is to be given Superintendent Perry but we realize this promotion decreases by 50% the AA principals. So much more work is still needed.
  • This is important work as we have now seen the SKSD become a majority minority student body. With that same diversity tremendously absent in the leadership positions noted.


  • Shotskis Pizza
  • A “themed” event that allowed for a Teaching Moment to be had.
  • The NAACP is not about attempting to harm businesses or private entities.
  • We are about trying to point out where harm may be the result of certain behavior or language in these very troubling times that we live in.
  • A dialogue was able to be shared and new sensitivity was created.


We have been involved in other events and legislative initiatives this spring and summer:
  • African American Youth Leadership Conference- Univ. of OR (250 plus SKSD students attended)
  • World Beat - Salem
  • "Preventing Communal Violence in Our Communities"- Association for Communal Harmony/ Salem
  • Oregon Department of Education- Meeting the leadership and monitoring the Grant Funding that the State of OR issued to improve outcomes for AA students across the state.


These programs and events bring awareness and engagement to our Salem Keizer community that facilitates progress and enlightenment. For those who are not members, please join us in this important effort. Our website www.sknaacp1166.org provides information on our activities, meeting dates and access to go on-line to become a member.


Thanks,


Benny


Benny C. Williams