About NAACP Arlington Branch
Our Vision
We envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons in Arlington can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.
Our Mission
We are a multiethnic multiracial community whose mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color in Arlington.
Peaceful Protests
Whenever the NAACP sees inequalities within the community, we are at the forefront of challenging these disparities.
Advocating for the Youth
The NAACP Arlington Branch is dedicated to advocating for equal educational opportunities for our youth. We strive to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Engaging with Community
We work with our community to encourage them to take action and work collaboratively to solve issues.
Leadership
We want to welcome you to the NAACP Arlington Branch (#7047). It’s an exciting time for our local branch to continue to grow and adapt to one of the most progressive counties in America. Today, organizations such as the NAACP are confronting a time of uncertainty at the local, state, and national levels of government. Effective civic engagement and activism are paramount to our success. Together with our allies for social justice, your NAACP will continue to bring inspired people together to ensure our organizations remain engaged and relevant. We will hold people accountable.
Rev. Dr. DeLishia Davis
President
Elected Official
Also, Finance Committee
Tia Alfred
2nd Vice President
& Education Committee, Chair
Elected Official
Kathleen McSweeney
Secretary
Elected Official
Also, Ex-Officio Member of All Committees
Adriana Spain
Assistant Treasurer
Elected Official
Also, Finance Committee
Whytni Kernodle
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
Kellen MacBeth
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
Laura Saul Edwards
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
James Younger, Esq.
Executive Committee Member, At-Large
Elected Official
Michael D. Hemminger
Immediate Past President (2023-2024)
Julius "JD" Spain, Sr.
Past President (2019-2022)
Karen Nightengale
Past President (2015-2018)
& Treasurer
Also, Finance Committee
Leah Maderal
Communications, Press & Publicity Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Amy Stitzel
Legal Redress Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Janmarie Peña
Political Action Committee, Chair
Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee
Standing Committees
List of Standing Committees of NAACP Branches
ACT-SO, Armed Services & Veterans Affairs
Communications, Press & Publicity
Community Coordination
Criminal Justice
Economic Development
Education
Environmental and Climate Justice
Finance
Freedom Fund
Health
Housing
Labor & Industry
Legal Redress
Membership and Life Membership
Political Action
Prison Branch
Religious Affairs
Young Adult
Youth Works
WIN
NAACP Arlington Branch History
Esther Georgia Irving Cooper, a landowner and resident of Arlington County organized the Arlington Branch of the NAACP in 1940. Dr. Herbert C. Marshall, the first president of NAACP Washington DC Branch assisted Mrs. Cooper in founding NAACP Arlington Branch. The first organization meeting was held in St. John Baptist Church, Arlington, VA. According to the former Branch President, William C. Butler, Sr., the first officers installed in October were as follows:
Esther Georgia Irving Cooper – President
Reverend Charles Green – Vice President
Jesse L. Washington – Treasurer
Emma Mosley – Entertainment Chair
Preston H. Harris, Esquire – Legal Redress
In 1940, the purpose of the NAACP Arlington Branch was to eradicate racial prejudice and eliminate racial discrimination in education, employment, housing, and civil rights. In 2023, the NAACP is still fighting for that same purpose. Our struggle has not ended, we need your help. Your membership and support for the programs of the NAACP Arlington Branch will help us realize our dream of true equality.
Since Mrs. Cooper’s thirteen years of leadership (1940 – 1953), NAACP Arlington Branch has been led by other dedicated presidents, including the following:
Reverend James Browne, Late ’50s
Carl Ferguson Late ’50s
Reverend Chester Murray ’60s
Judge Thomas Monroe ’60s
Reverend Ronald Williams Early ’70s
William C. Butler, Sr. 1975 – 1988
Robert D. McGregor, Jr. 1988 – 1996
Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr. 1997 – 1998
Voncile Trotter Hines 1998 – 2000
Dr. Talmadge Williams 2000 – 2008
Elmer L. H. Lowe, Sr. 2008 – 2014
Karen Nightengale 2015 – 2018
Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr. 2019 – 2022
Michael Hemminger 2023 – 2024
Rev. DeLishia A. Davis 2025 – Present