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"A Salute to the NAACP:
Images of Freedom, Struggle and Equality"...

Youth at the Convention

by Doris J. Mason
Director, Youth & College Division

An exciting and dramatic atmosphere surrounded the Youth Opening Session and the Mr. & Miss NAACP Coronation Ball. Each program activity presented an opportunity for youth members to demonstrate their pride in being affiliated with the Association.

The attendance represented one-fourth of the registered number of delegates and alternates at the 75th Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The spirit of the civil rights movement was reflected every moment in enthusiastic response by the youth members.

The Youth & College Division's Convention theme was, "A Salute to the NAACP: Images of Freedom, Struggle and Equality." This these, in observance of our 75th Anniversary, was developed for youth delegates to take back to their youth councils and college chapters to use for programmatic emphasis for 1984-85.

Two events were scheduled to acknowledge this theme: a youth-oriented dramatization by John A. Davis and Juan Pierce, youth members of the National Board of Directors, was given during the opening session, and the presentation of a $1,000 check to Timmy Sykes of Texas City, Texas, for his winning illustration that will be used by the Youth & College Division as a greeting card to highlight the theme. This presentation was made possible by the Pepsi-Cola Company, Purchase, New York.

The activities for these young persons were coordinated by the Youth & College Division Director, who was assisted by Miss Paula Brown and Ms. Alta Sutton Pratt-Ansa, Region II and Region V youth directors, respectively, and Daniel Thomas, Jr., college coordinator.

A Youth Membership Laydown, sponsored by the Membership Division under the direction of Janice Johnson, was an added feature this year. Ms. Johnson presented trophies to youth units that turned in the greatest number of memberships. The winners were the Atlanta, Georgia, Youth Council and the Newport News, Virginia, Youth Council.

Participation by youth delegates in youth workshops was most impressive. The workshops were well attended and structured to stimulate discussion in the working sessions. Workshops included: Youth Summit, which was moderated by Jerry Keith, Jr., member, National Board of Directors from Florence, S.C. Participants included: Norman Hill, president, A. Philip Randolph Foundation; Gordon Berlin, program officer, Ford Foundation; Hatti Harlow, consultant; and Elaine M. Johnson, director, Division of Prevention and Communication, N.I.D.A.

Boundary Breaking - moderated by John A. Davis, member, National Board of Directors and Sandra McGary, member, National Youth World Committee. 

College Student's Forum - moderated by Daniel Thomas, Jr., college coordinator. The guest speaker was Dr. Reatha Clark King, president, Metropolitan State University.

Career Opportunities in the Armed Services - moderated by Brig. General Elmer T. Brooks, U.S. Department of Defense.

Job Fair Clinic, entitled "Prerequisites for Employment: Education,

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[[caption]] Roy Wilkins Luncheon guest speaker Oscar Robertson with S. Alexander Youth Director Doris Mason and Diane Harvell of the American Gas Association. [[/caption]]

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