Dear Members, Friends and Supporters of the NAACP:

As we approach the 100th Anniversary of the National NAACP, our branch continues to be blessed. We were awarded the “NJ Branch of the Year” at the Quarterly Meeting of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP Branches for the second consecutive year. Here’s just a sample of this year’s activities and highlights:

• In February, in honor of Black History Month, we had our annual African-American Trivia Game Show, a fun mix of various game shows where competing teams vied for prizes.
• In February, we hosted our 30th Annual Freedom Fund Awards, on February 2, 2008, a black-tie event in which we honored individuals and organizations that made significant contributions to the community, and in which we also raised over $15,000.00 for the NAACP Metuchen-Edison Area Branch Youth and Scholarship Fund.
• In June, we observed Juneteenth- a commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. – with an event that included entertainment, speakers, food and vendors.
• In July, we will send 16 of our youth to Disney World to compete in the Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympus (ACT-SO).
• With a grant from AT&T, we continue to mentor over 500 economically disadvantaged students at the Edison Job Corps Academy by awarding cash incentives to assist student scholars in tutoring their peers in math and English.
• In August, we will host our annual “Friends and Family Barbecue.”
• In December, we’ll host our annual Pre-Kwanzaa Extravaganza, where we feature entertainment, food and vendors.

In addition to hosting and sponsoring special events and activities, throughout the year our branch works tirelessly in its efforts to improve the educational, economic, social and political status of African Americans. To promote economic empowerment, we’ve offered first-time homebuyer seminars and free workshops on how to successfully establish and maintain a business. Through voter registration drives we inform the public on how their votes can make a difference. When job discrimination, racial profiling, police brutality or any other civil rights infringement rears its ugly head, our Legal Redress Committee provides assistance. Our Youth Council motivates and inspires our youth to become involved in various civic activities. On the second Thursday of each month, our branch holds a general meeting open to the public, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, at the Edison Job Corps Academy, where NAACP members and non-members discuss issues of importance to our community.

I would love to hear your ideas on ways we can creatively use our family to make positive changes in our community. Send your thoughts to info@naacpmeab.org. The Metuchen-Edison Area Branch of the NAACP has a proud tradition. If the NAACP is not already a part of your life, I hope that you will consider attending our monthly meetings and joining us while we celebrate our heritage.

Sincerely,

Reginald Johnson, President
August 2008