On February 12, 1909, the NAACP was born on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. The choice of the date was by no accident. The popular literature of the period still displayed a strong interest in Lincoln's life, 44 years after his assassination.
Forty years later, in February 1949, the National NAACP records show that the very first branch in Ann Arbor, was established. The charter was later revoked and the reason is not clear because it is not mentioned in the records.
The branch regained its charter in September 1956 and maintained it until 1978 according to National NAACP records. When the NAACP Ann Arbor Branch was brought to life there were three presidents including Al Wheeler prior to the election of Emma Wheeler in 1957. She served for 16 years as the Branch's President. In 1973 she relinquished her presidency to Woodrow Shelton who was followed in the post by Doretta Taylor. In the late 1970s, the local NAACP again lost it's charter due to declining membership - fewer than the 35 members required by the National organization.
In 1984, Fred and Norma McCuiston revived the local branch of the NAACP. Fred McCuiston served as President for two terms with one term by Vic Turner sandwiched between them. In 1985, Mayor Ed Pierce proclaimed the first Saturday in November of each year as NAACP Day in Ann Arbor. Harry Williams became President in 1992 and served for 12 consecutive years, ending in 2004. At that time, William Hampton was elected.
The NAACP is an organization largely populated by people whose history has been taken seriously only in the last half century. Ann Arbor's primary focus has always been education. In addition to weekly student tutorials, the Branch also sponsors a yearly Freedom Fund Dinner where all African American students with grade point averages of 3.2 or better are recognized. In addition, the Branch awards a yearly scholarship as well as co-sponsorship of the Black College Trip. On the third Saturday of each June the Branch celebrates Juneteenth at Wheeler Park.
Forty years later, in February 1949, the National NAACP records show that the very first branch in Ann Arbor, was established. The charter was later revoked and the reason is not clear because it is not mentioned in the records.
The branch regained its charter in September 1956 and maintained it until 1978 according to National NAACP records. When the NAACP Ann Arbor Branch was brought to life there were three presidents including Al Wheeler prior to the election of Emma Wheeler in 1957. She served for 16 years as the Branch's President. In 1973 she relinquished her presidency to Woodrow Shelton who was followed in the post by Doretta Taylor. In the late 1970s, the local NAACP again lost it's charter due to declining membership - fewer than the 35 members required by the National organization.
In 1984, Fred and Norma McCuiston revived the local branch of the NAACP. Fred McCuiston served as President for two terms with one term by Vic Turner sandwiched between them. In 1985, Mayor Ed Pierce proclaimed the first Saturday in November of each year as NAACP Day in Ann Arbor. Harry Williams became President in 1992 and served for 12 consecutive years, ending in 2004. At that time, William Hampton was elected.
The NAACP is an organization largely populated by people whose history has been taken seriously only in the last half century. Ann Arbor's primary focus has always been education. In addition to weekly student tutorials, the Branch also sponsors a yearly Freedom Fund Dinner where all African American students with grade point averages of 3.2 or better are recognized. In addition, the Branch awards a yearly scholarship as well as co-sponsorship of the Black College Trip. On the third Saturday of each June the Branch celebrates Juneteenth at Wheeler Park.
