Posted by Media Release

The NAACP Cincinnati Branch announces that it has reached the 2,000 mark for its membership. In April 2007, the local NAACP began an intense membership drive at the direction of its new president, Christopher Smitherman.  At that time, the membership roll was assessed at 750 members.  As of this week, the membership count is 2000, a 167% increase in one year.  “The large and rapid increase in membership in this short period of time is incredible,” stated the Membership Committee Chair, Michelle Edwards.

During his first year as president, Smitherman has been vocal and active on issues impacting African-Americans in Cincinnati.  The Branch approved and supported a campaign against the proposed levy to build a jail.  It addition, it supported the campaign for the public school levy.  The membership also supported addressing cases of over-prosecution and over-punishment of African-Americans within the legal justice system.  The visibility that the Cincinnati NAACP has had on such topics as well as assisting in individual matters has increased over the last year and resulted in increased membership interest.  Attendance at the general monthly membership meetings has also increased exponentially.

Smitherman said, “I am very excited about achieving this milestone in just one year’s time. I want to thank my Executive Committee and Membership for their support over the last year. There is a direct relationship between actions and growth of the Cincinnati Branch memberships and we will continue to fire on all cylinders. We now have 2,000 members. It is my goal to increase our membership by 60-70% over the next year. This would push our membership above 3,000 just in time for the Mayoral Primary in 2009.”

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