By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore residents are voicing concerns over the turmoil facing the Baltimore City Branch of the NAACP.
“I think money is always the basis of the issue,” said Bryant Scott, 53-year old Baltimore resident. “A lot of egos, thinking ‘I’m better than you,’ and ‘We’re going to do things how I want to do it.’”
It has been nearly a year since leaders of both the Baltimore branch and the Maryland State Conference were suspended, pending investigation into claims of financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency.
On July 22, the executive team of the Baltimore branch announced in a Facebook post that the national office had temporarily halted its operations, criticizing the process as slow and uncommunicative. The move has left many questioning the future of the branch.
The NAACP national headquarters has addressed the growing tensions between its executive leadership and local branches.
“The National Office has placed the Baltimore City Branch and the Maryland State Conference under administratorship and will manage the operations and functions of both entities,” said Dominik Whitehead, NAACP chief of field, Membership Growth, and Unit Sustainability. “While we don’t discuss the details of internal matters, we can say that this situation is being handled in accordance with our bylaws, procedures, and legal obligations.
“As such, NAACP’s presence in Maryland will be restructured to better position the State Conference and Branch to take on the fights ahead and return stronger than ever,” he added. “We will continue to support our Branches, Units, and members as they uphold the mission of the Association across the country.”
Barbara Rich, a 68-year old Baltimore resident, pressed that Black people, especially in the politically tumultuous times Americans live in today, need the NAACP to be as active as they once were in the community.
“I’ve noticed that the NAACP is not like it used to be,” said Barbara Rich. “I don’t know anything about what the NAACP is doing. Only if I see them on TV and that’s only during certain times of the year.”
“If they came in touch with the community more, it would put fear in the prejudiced people’s heart,” added Rich.
Adavia Delillye, 18, echoed Rich’s sentiment of not knowing much about what the local branch does in the community. She encouraged leaders, members of the NAACP to come out and speak with Baltimore residents on the streets of the city.
“We really need love and support in the streets,” said Delillye of West Baltimore.
She said hosting events in popular areas of the city such as Downtown Baltimore and sending out more resources is what Black Baltimoreans need from the local NAACP.
Scott also said the issues facing the Baltimore City NAACP shows why it is important for Black people to come together in unity, under one purpose, while staying informed about the different government and community positions and their purpose.
“It’s prime time that we come together and put the right people in positions of power,” said Scott.
He added that there may be some “chaos” to making the change that Black people want to see happen, but it’s necessary.