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 Arlington NAACP Branch is dedicated to advocating for equal educational opportunities for our youth. We strive to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

Freedom Fund Banquet 

The Freedom Fund Banquet is the major fundraising event for most branches of the NAACP. Contributions and donations allow us to offer valuable workshops, scholarships, and activities for the community that we serve.

Engaging with the 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. 

Michael Hemminger
President  
Also, Finance Committee

The duties of the Branch President shall be:
a. To preside at meetings of the NAACP Unit and act as Chair of the Executive Committee.

b. To appoint the Chair and members of all Committees not otherwise elected by the General Membership or the Executive Committee of the NAACP Unit; except the Chair of the Youth Work Committee of a Branch or State/State Area Conference.

c. Between meetings of the Executive Committee and the NAACP Unit, to exercise general executive authority on behalf of the NAACP Unit, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee.

d. To countersign all checks and properly supported requisitions for disbursements from the NAACP Unit Treasury.

e. To perform such other functions and exercise such further duties as may be voted from time to time by the NAACP Unit or the Executive Committee.

f. To be an ex-officio member of all committees except, in the case of State/State-Area Conferences, Branches and Prison Branches, the Nominating Committee and Election Supervisory Committee, and in the case of the State Youth and College Division, the Youth Nominating Committee.

g. To encourage and assist all Committees in the development of their programs and the performance of their duties.

h. To recommend, to the Executive Committee, the removal of any Chairperson of a Standing or Special Committees. 

James Younger, Esq.
1st Vice President

Elected Official
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
a. To perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence or disability. In case of more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents shall be designated as first, second, third and so forth and shall perform their duties according to their numerical rank.
b. In the event of the resignation, removal or death of the President, the Vice President(s) shall automatically ascend to the position of President, according to their numerical rank, for the remainder of the term of the presidency. Any other Vice President(s) shall ascend in the same manner. 

Lorelle Langhorne
2nd Vice President 

Elected Official
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
a. To perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence or disability. In case of more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents shall be designated as first, second, third and so forth and shall perform their duties according to their numerical rank.
b. In the event of the resignation, removal or death of the President, the Vice President(s) shall automatically ascend to the position of President, according to their numerical rank, for the remainder of the term of the presidency. Any other Vice President(s) shall ascend in the same manner. 

Wanda Younger
Secretary 
Also, Ex-Officio Member of All Committees

Elected Official
The duties of the Secretary shall be:
a. To act as Secretary of the NAACP Unit and the Executive Committee; to give members notice of regular meetings and three (3) calendar days notice of special meetings of the NAACP Unit and Executive Committee; to keep full and accurate records of the proceedings of the NAACP Unit and of the Executive Committee and record the same in a minute book or minute books, provided that, in NAACP Units employing paid staff, the responsibility of giving the membership required notice of meetings shall be discharged by said staff under the oversight of the Secretary.

b. To keep a record of all NAACP Unit members and their dues, provided that wherever paid staff is employed such duties shall be discharged by said staff under the oversight of the Secretary.

c. To give receipts for all membership fees received and to transmit such fees to the NAACP Unit Treasurer; to send promptly to the Association lists of all membership fees received; and to secure from the Treasurer and forward to the Association that portion of membership fees due to the Association.

d. To aid, coordinate and integrate the work of the several committees and divisions of the NAACP Unit, provided that wherever an Executive Director is employed such duties shall be discharged by said Executive Director.

e. To submit reports to the NAACP Unit and the Executive Committee at all regular meetings, or whenever required by either body, covering the status of the NAACP Unit and its activities since the date of the last report; to submit to the NAACP Unit at its annual meeting an annual report of the status and activities of the NAACP Unit, provided that, where an Executive Director is employed, such duties shall be discharged by said Executive Director. The Director shall forward a copy of all reports, when adopted by the NAACP Unit, to the Association.

f. To keep the President and CEO of the Association informed of all events affecting the interests of minority groups in the vicinity of the NAACP Unit, and to submit to the Association, whenever required by the Association, a report on NAACP Unit activities, provided that, wherever an Executive Director is employed, such duties shall be discharged by said Executive Director.

g. In conjunction with the President, to sign requisitions for disbursements from the NAACP Unit Treasury and to maintain a file of receipts and disbursements.

h. The Secretary shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee and the Election Supervisory Committee.

Kathleen McSweeney
Assistant Secretary 
Also, Membership Committee, Chair

Elected Official
The duties of the Assistant Secretary shall be:
To perform the duties of the Secretary in his/her absence, unavailability or disability. The Assistant Secretary may perform specific duties of the Secretary under the supervision of the Secretary.

Adriana Spain
Treasurer 
Also, Finance Committee

Elected Official
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
a. To receive all monies of the NAACP Unit and promptly deposit the same in the name of the NAACP Unit in a separate account or accounts in a responsible bank or trust company. No money shall be withdrawn from any account except by check signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President.

b. To act as chief financial officer of the NAACP Unit and chair of the Finance Committee.

c. To make authorized disbursements upon requisition signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the President. Each requisition shall recite the amount and purpose of the payment requested. Any requisition exceeding one hundred dollars or more in the case of Branches, or twenty-five dollars or more in the case of College Chapters and Youth Councils, must be approved by the Executive Committee before a check therefore is issued. The NAACP Unit bylaws may require that requisitions in smaller amounts be approved by the Executive Committee.

d. To remit through the Secretary to the Association the proportion of membership fees to which the Association is entitled, as hereinafter provided, within fifteen calendar days after their receipt.

e. To submit reports to the NAACP Unit and the Executive Committee at all regular meetings, or whenever required by either body, covering the financial condition of the NAACP Unit showing receipts and disbursements and outstanding accounts unpaid since the last report; to submit an Annual Report to the business of his/her office at the Annual Meeting of the NAACP Unit, to which shall be appended a statement signed by the President and Secretary that all funds by the NAACP Unit have  been listed in the Treasurer’s report. A copy of all reports by the Treasurer, when adopted by the NAACP Unit, shall be forwarded to the National Office.

f. All NAACP Units shall require the Treasurer to be bonded at the expense of said Unit.

g. Submit year-end financial reports to the National Office on or before March 1 st

Nadia Conyers
Executive Committee Member, At-Large 

Elected Official
(Duties of the Executive Committee)
a. The Executive Committee shall have general control of the affairs and program of the Unit, subject to the authority of the Unit and the provisions of the Constitution and approved bylaws.

b. The Executive Committee shall render a report, containing the reports of all standing and special committees, at the regular meetings of the Unit and whenever otherwise required.

c. At its first meeting following the election, and at any time during the term of office, the Executive Committee shall approve the Unit President’s appointments of Chairpersons of the various Standing Committees as presented by the President.

d. To create special committees as needs arise.

e. To fill all vacancies in Unit offices and on the Executive Committee.

f. To decide matters of Unit policy subject to endorsement by the Unit and in accordance with national policy.

g. In the case of Branches, Executive Committees shall appoint, employ and enter into employment arrangements with employees of the Unit subject only to employment procedures and qualifications approved by the National Office. 

Kellen MacBeth
Executive Committee Member, At-Large 

Elected Official
(Duties of the Executive Committee)
a. The Executive Committee shall have general control of the affairs and program of the Unit, subject to the authority of the Unit and the provisions of the Constitution and approved bylaws.
b. The Executive Committee shall render a report, containing the reports of all standing and special committees, at the regular meetings of the Unit and whenever otherwise required.

c. At its first meeting following the election, and at any time during the term of office, the Executive Committee shall approve the Unit President’s appointments of Chairpersons of the various Standing Committees as presented by the President.

d. To create special committees as needs arise. e. To fill all vacancies in Unit offices and on the Executive Committee.

e. To fill all vacancies in Unit offices and on the Executive Committee.

f. To decide matters of Unit policy subject to endorsement by the Unit and in accordance with national policy.

g. In the case of Branches, Executive Committees shall appoint, employ and enter into employment arrangements with employees of the Unit subject only to employment procedures and qualifications approved by the National Office. 

Karen Nightengale, Past President (2015-2018). Executive Committee Member, At-Large. Freedom Fund Banquet & Awards Committee, Chair

Elected Official
(Duties of the Executive Committee)
a. The Executive Committee shall have general control of the affairs and program of the Unit, subject to the authority of the Unit and the provisions of the Constitution and approved bylaws.

b. The Executive Committee shall render a report, containing the reports of all standing and special committees, at the regular meetings of the Unit and whenever otherwise required.

c. At its first meeting following the election, and at any time during the term of office, the Executive Committee shall approve the Unit President’s appointments of Chairpersons of the various Standing Committees as presented by the President.

d. To create special committees as needs arise.

e. To fill all vacancies in Unit offices and on the Executive Committee.

f. To decide matters of Unit policy subject to endorsement by the Unit and in accordance with national policy.

g. In the case of Branches, Executive Committees shall appoint, employ and enter into employment arrangements with employees of the Unit subject only to employment procedures and qualifications approved by the National Office. 

Julius "JD" Spain, Sr.
Advisor to Branch President, Immediate Past President (2019-2022), and Environmental & Climate Justice Committee, Chair

Appointed Position by Branch President

At the discretion of the branch president, represent Arlington Branch NAACP in carrying out its mission and objectives of the NAACP subject to approval by the Executive Committee, if required. 

Leah Maderal
Communications Committee, Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee 

Vacant

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee 

Vacant
Economic Development Committee, Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee

Tia Alfred
Education Committee, Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee 

Taja Iglesias
Health Committee Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee

Wells Harrell
Housing 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 

Reverend DeLishia Andrea Davis
Religious Affairs Committee, Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee 

Rosa Dunkley
Religious Affairs Committee, Vice Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee 

Vacant
Scholarship Committee, Chair

Appointed by President and Approved by Executive Committee 

NAACP Arlington Branch History

Esther Georgia Irving Cooper, a landowner and a resident of Arlington County, organized the Arlington Branch of the NAACP in 1940. Dr. Herbert C. Marshall, first president of the NAACP Branch of Washington, DC, assisted Mrs. Cooper in founding the 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 1942, Esther Georgia Irving Cooper joined the executive board of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP which challenged racial inequalities in the county's high schools. This culminated in Carter v. School Board of Arlington County, in which the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the county's separate high schools constituted unlawful racial discrimination and mandated increased funding for segregated schools as well as equal pay for black teachers. 

Since Mrs. Cooper’s thirteen years of leadership (1940 – 1953), the Arlington Branch NAACP has been led by dedicated civil rights leaders who served as presidents, including the following:

Reverend James Browne, late 50’s;  Carl Ferguson, late 50’s;

Reverend Chester Murray, 60’s;

Judge Thomas Monroe 60’s;
Reverend Ronald Williams, early 70’s;

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-Present.