History of the NAACP

On February 12th,1909 The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded by a multiracial group of activists, who answered "The Call." They initially called themselves the National Negro Committee.

FOUNDERS: Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard, William English Walling and led the "Call" to renew the struggle for civil and political liberty.

History of the Youth and College Division

During the NAACP 1935 National Convention several young people challenged the organization to provide young people with an opportunity and a vehicle to address the civil rights issues facing the nation’s youth.

The NAACP National Board of Directors passed a resolution, formally creating the Youth and College Division in March of 1936.

Under the guidance of Ms. Juanita E. Jackson, Special Assistant to the Secretary, a National Youth Program was created for youth members of the NAACP. This program provided national activities for youth that were supported by monthly meetings discussing local needs of the community. The major national youth activities were demonstrations against lynching and seminars and group discussions on the inequalities in public education.