NAACP Huntington Chapter Celebrates 37 Years

By: Michael A. Raspantini

A packed house of over 100 people crowded into the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church on Woodhull Road last month for the thirty-seventh anniversary celebration of the NAACP Huntington Branch. Elected officials like Chad Lupinacci and William “Doc” Spencer attended to honor the group and its continued efforts and focus on local issues like quality of life and affordable housing alongside the “Lives Matter & Our Vote Counts,” national initiative to increase voter registration

“To date, 87 voters were registered in 2016 through the NAACP Huntington Branch,” President Betty Jean Miller stated.

Honorees this year were Ivette Stone, Chairwoman of the Health Committee and Beverly Gorham, the group’s Financial Secretary both adorned by proclamations awarding their many years of service. Second Vice President Ulysses Spicer introduced Keynote Speaker Jacqueline Harris, Assistant Superintendent of South Huntington School District.

“Jacque Harris has an aura that is so welcoming, so wonderful, and her successful work building Drug Awareness programs for children and parents here in [Long Island] where drugs have become a big problem is nothing short of a  blessing,” Spicer said.

A standing ovation was received after Jacque Harris delivered her brilliant speech referencing the living Constitution of the United States and the crucial elements and protections it offers each of us.

“We the People,” she said, “are to secure the liberties promised by the founders of our great nation. We the people, ALL people, red, brown, yellow black and white are to pursue liberty in the face of injustice. This is no easy topic to discuss especially when we are fostering the future of the next generation.” Jacque Harris is a Board Trustee for the Northwell Health System, a proud recipient of both the “Sisters in the Struggle” SHERO Award for Excellence in Public Service, and the Metropolitan College of New York’s Phenomenal Women of Power” Award.