The Lansing Branch NAACP was chartered in 1919 under the leadership of Mr. C.A. Campbell (1919-1921) who fought diligently to enforce civil rights laws for the community. Although his tenure lasted about one year, Campbell helped conduct the first census which helped determine which occupations Negroes were qualified to fill.
Mr. Harold Lett served as branch president from (1921-1926). His primary agenda was to provide a visible presence with the Lansing Board of Education to ensure a quality education was made available to Negro students. He also campaigned diligently to integrate Negroes into skilled labor employment. Mr. Lett paved the way for Dr. W.E.B. DuBois' first visit to Lansing, Michigan.
Mr. Hesper Jackson (1927-29,1934-36), who in his only two-year term challenged the unions to admit Lansing's Black working class. Jackson campaigned openly against the city council to make these job opportunities available for qualified blacks and forged a strong working relationship with Lansing's City Council. Additionally, this diligent warrior was instrumental in helping organize several Michigan NAACP branches, advocated openly for quality housing and solicited NAACP memberships in both black and white churches.
Our first female branch president of record was Ms. Ella Bell who served from (1930-1933). Her ability to lead effectively was marred by the pending depression, which challenged the economic vitality of our nation and interrupted her term of office, which was concluded by Mr. Hesper Jackson from 1934-36.
Ms. Beulah Irons served as the branch's second female president from (1941-1944). In similar fashion as Ms. Bell, her term was also averted. This time by a nation embroiled in World War II.
Mr. J. McKinley Lee, (1945-1946), who facilitated the postwar, citywide membership drive and organized a massive anti-discrimination campaign. He advocated on behalf of extending the census territory within the black community and campaigned for better housing.
Mr. Hugh Branson, (1947-1948), was one of the first blacks to be employed with the Fisher Body and Motor Wheel Plant and began eradicating employment discrimination in the automotive industry. Branson also served on the committee to secure teaching positions for blacks in the Lansing School District.
Mr. Rankin Lewis, (1948-1950), was a primary benefactor of Mr. Branson's efforts to integrate the Lansing School District as he worked to make good on a promise of the school board secretary's promise to hire him as their first black teacher. The secretary had previously stated that black teachers would not be hired.
Dr. Clinton Canady, Jr., notably is the first Negro to be hired by the Lansing Board of Education. He sat at the local Association's helm from (1951-1952).
He was succeeded by Attorney Stuart Dunnings Jr. who led the organization from (1952-1958) by initiating numerous firsts: Co-sponsorship of the Careers Unlimited Conference, Voter Registration Drive, follow up on complaint that resulted in a conviction, first black hired at Lansing's City Hall in non-maintenance position, first Freedom Fund carnival fundraising activity and first branch member to secure a life membership. Under Mr. Dunning's presidency, the branch was honored with National NAACP Membership Award. He also developed a procedure for the prosecutor's office to handle Civil Rights Complaints effectively and initiated litigation with both Michigan Bell Telephone Company and Lansing's Board of Education regarding hiring practices. Dunnings campaigned diligently to prevent the city's westside school segregation initiative.
Mrs. Josephine Ferguson Wharton served as branch president from (1959-1963). She too, introduced several firsts on behalf of Lansing's Negro community. This includes an Annual Inauguration Day, a Housing Conference, Freedom Sunday and the first International Sunday on behalf of foreign visitors of color to the Lansing community. Under her leadership, Mrs. Wharton initiated Operation Hi-Neighbor that served as a welcome wagon to area newcomers.
Although Rev. E. Joseph Parker served, as the next branch president from (1964-1965), there is no record of his accomplishments. However, he too was a courageous and valiant freedom fighter during peak years of major civil rights activity and legislation.
Mr. Marvin S. Ray completed Parker's two year term from (1965-1966) with aggressive efforts to replenish the organizations coffers whose ongoing promotional efforts had greatly compromised expenses against revenue. During his brief tenure, Mr. Ray addressed the Lansing City Council on the need to create a Human Relations Department and hire a full time director. This initiative eventually garnered overwhelming success through position creation and the hiring of Richard "Dick" Letts as its director. Additionally, Mr. Ray recruited prominent leaders on the national level in the persons of Senator Phil Hart, Harvey Steadman (B'naith Birth) and Attorney R. Jessie Brown from Jackson, Mississippi; the first black attorney to practice law in the racially segregated state of Mississippi. Once again, Mr. Ray was elected for another two-year term and continued in the struggle for equal rights for Negro citizens.
When Mr. Vence Bonham (1969-1972) arrived on the scene in 1969 he initiated legal action against the Lansing Public Schools to end segregation. This resulted in the current benefit of an aggressive desegregation plan, which was led and won by the late Attorney John "Jack" Davis, Attorney Dunnings and Mrs. Hortense Golden Canady.
Under Mr. Bonham's leadership, numerous blacks began professional employment with the Lansing School District and within the banking industry. It was through his efforts those opportunities begun opening up, to an extent. He also submitted a successful proposal to the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to receive federal funding under the Emergency School Aid Act and was the first black consultant to work on behalf of equal opportunity in education with the Michigan Department of Education.
The dynamic Robert "Bob" Williams (1973-1974) led the successful battle with Attorney Jack Davis in the school desegregation plan in U.S. Federal Court which resulted in children being bused across district lines to achieve equal education in Lansing Public Schools. Under Bob's leadership, branch membership reached record levels as organized by civil rights stalwart Clara Kohls an East Lansing activist and NAACP life member. Also, within this year of leading the Lansing NAACP, Mr. Williams produced Lansing's first black television program, "Black Dialog."
Wilfred "Andy" Anderson (1975-1976) also served a brief term of one year, however he fought diligently on behalf of increasing minority staffing in public education. To his credit, Mr. Anderson led a successful food and clothing drive for Selma, Alabama, as the civil rights and desegregation movement in the south escalated. He was a strong promoter for increasing community participation in annual Freedom Fund Banquets, which has historically raised funds for operation of local branch and national activity.
Mr. Rudolph "Rudy" Valentino Wilson, affectionately known by the Lansing community as "Mr. NAACP", served as branch president from (1977-1986). His undying and relentless commitment established a strong legacy for modeling stellar NAACP leadership. "Rudy" was the first black salaried professional employee at Lansing's General Motors Corporation and negotiated continually over the years to ensure equitable hiring practices were followed there.
He led a massive campaign against the Quality Dairy Stores to promote fairness in hiring minorities as well. At the same time, he spearheaded strategies to increase the numbers of African American employees at Jackson National Life Insurance Company and continues as a watchdog on behalf of the school desegregation order with Lansing Public Schools. Mr. Wilson has fought tirelessly long after his official tenure ended earning him the honor of President Emeritus of the Lansing NAACP.
Mr. Fred R. Porter followed briefly in Mr. Wilson's footsteps, (1987-89), by initiating an enormously successful fundraising campaign, which not only brought the ailing branch well out of a major deficit, but also sponsored two of the branch's most successful Freedom Fund Banquets in its sixty-eight year history. The first year, bringing in Jesse Jackson, National Director of Operation PUSH as keynoter followed by National Television Producer of Detroit's Black Journal, Tony Brown the following year. Mr. Porter has remained a vocal and aggressive campaigner for equal rights in Economic Development and the awarding of minority contracts for construction projects with major businesses in the greater Lansing area. His passion for NAACP advocacy and social justice remain an integral part of his community involvement.
Wilson H. Caldwell led the NAACP branch for six years (1990-1996). Mr. Caldwell's strength was in relationship building. He helped restore a sense of community between the local branch and increased membership to nearly 1,000 strong. It was through his efforts that Lansing boasted of eight delegates at state and national conventions, which positioned the branch among the nation's strongest in voting strength and political power. It was through Mr. Caldwell's foresight that the branch initiated its premier ACT-SO program to showcase academic, cultural and technological talents through competition high school youth at the local and national levels. In its second year of existence, Vera Riley, a Waverly High School senior, won a silver medal in contemporary vocal music competition at the National ACT-SO Competition, where more than 3,000 students compete annually. He also sponsored the branch's first Radiothon Membership Drive and initiated the Attorney John "Jack" Davis Educational Award.
When Geneva Smith(1997-2001) connected with the Lansing Branch its leadership options had faltered through a weathered and aging base. Courageously, she took the initiative which led to its twenty-third presidency. Initially, Geneva worked diligently to lead an organization bound by middle class tradition. It was through her vision for implementing a grassroots, inclusive approach which ultimately led to her demise. Ms. Smith's leadership was strengthened by strong ties with media, union groups and her innate ability to generate revenue. Despite a nebulous agenda for advancing the organization's mandate, Geneva Smith was successful in making significant strides in branch leadership practices. As a result of her tenacity, the Lansing NAACP was forced to reassess its longstanding method of operation and chart a more definitive course of action. When Geneva chose to relinquish her position of branch president, she ascended to a successful bid for the Lansing City Council.
This sudden switch catapulted first vice president Melvin Coleman (2001-2002) to the helm of Lansing NAACP. His demeanor was complemented by a natural spirit of order and personal conviction. Coleman was a silent warrior and career UAW fast tracker who had been simultaneously groomed for executive union leadership. These qualities and challenges assisted him in solidifying a new direction for the Lansing NAACP. One of Coleman's greatest contributions in his brief tenure was in re-establishing honor, protocol and a respect for organizational leadership.
President James Gill served the Lansing branch from 2003 – 2008, while serving as second vice chair of the Michigan State NAACP Conference. President Gill presided over several successful Freedom Fund Dinners, that included such keynote speakers as Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; Wendall Anthony, President of the Detroit Central NAACP; Rev. Al Sharpton, and U.S. Congressman and Majority Whip James Clyburn D-SC. President Gill was instrumental in bringing together a statewide rally of NAACP and civil rights advocates to Lansing for a march to the State Capitol in September 2006, to demonstrate support against Proposition-2, a ballot issue that would eliminate affirmative action in Michigan.
Winston Williams Jr. (2009-2010) started his presidency with a retreat focused on leadership devolvement, strategic planning and civic engagement. He sought out community partnerships that helped launch a branch website bringing information technology to the forefront of membership services.