Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics

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"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched".

 Helen Keller 

The Committee on ACT-SO shall follow these rules: (1) must be properly registered annually with the National Office and follow all directives outlined by the National ACT-SO Program; (2) understand that it is a major project of the NAACP. With ACT-SO, the NAACP is providing an instrument through which African-American youth are encouraged and inspired toward excellence in academic and cultural pursuits while benefiting from the maximum support of their communities; (3) uphold its goal of ACT-SO that affords the same respect for African-American Scholastic and cultural achievement that is given to heroes; and (4) recognizing that ACT-SO conducts annual academic competitions for students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) in NAACP Branches throughout the country in accordance with the published guidelines of the National Office and oversight of the National Director of ACT-SO Program.

The Committee on Communications, Press and Publicity shall: (1) seek to promote media content consistent with fundamental NAACP goals which include the elimination of racial isolation and fear and the furtherance of multiracial and cultural understanding; (2) work to eliminate employment segregation and discrimination in those industries, [comprising the communications arts and sciences] (radio, telephone, television, motion pictures, newspapers, books, related computer communications, business, cable television); (3) seek to ensure Black minority ownership and control of print and electronic media — both hardware and software; (4) monitor local and national media, especially advertising performance; (5) provide the National Office with research and data on those local businesses engaged in communications arts and sciences; (6) seek to ensure that all people have a meaningful right to choose from and have access to a variety of high quality telecommunications goods and services at reasonable cost; (7) endeavor to secure publicity for the work of the Unit and the Association in the local press and on radio, television and other media; (8) attempt to interest persons in charge of local news media on conditions affecting minority groups; (9) seek to counteract derogatory and erroneous statements in local news media about Blacks and other minority groups; (10) be responsible for forwarding to THE CRISIS items covering Unit activities and important local affairs; and (11) act as far as possible as an agency for the promotion and sale of THE CRISIS. No publicity shall be released without first being approved by the President of the Unit.

The Committee on Criminal Justice shall: (1) seek to eliminate harsh and unfair sentencing practices that are responsible for mass incarceration and racial disparities in the prison system, (2) support and seek to increase trust and public safety by advancing effective law enforcement practices, (3) fight for the restoration of the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people and the removal of barriers to employment, (4) elevate the voices of crime victim survivors in order to identify and advance systemic breakdowns existing in the criminal justice system that perpetuate crime, (5) resolve to end the war on drugs for its disproportionate collateral consequences harm communities of color, (6) seek the institution and availability of alternatives to incarceration including education, employment, and mental health services, (7) eliminate zero tolerance policies implemented in our schools which are keeping kids out of the classroom and putting them on a path from the schoolhouse to the jailhouse, (8) investigate programs implemented in our local law enforcement agencies which derail from their main purpose of safety and order to conduct the work of federal agencies for which they do not have the capacity, and (9) seek budget modifications in states where incarceration receives more funding than education.

The Committee on Education shall: (1) seek to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public education; (2) study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; (3) investigate the public school system and school zoning; (4) familiarize itself with textbook material there from which is racially derogatory; (5) seek to stimulate school attendance; (6) keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found; (7) investigate the effects of standardized and high stakes testing practices; (8) teacher certification; (9) promote parental involvement in education; and (10) aim to be a center of popular education on the race question and on the work of the Association.

The Freedom Fund Committee shall plan and conduct fund-raising activities, entertainment and other projects, for local and national purposes within the scope of the Association’s program. It shall work closely with the Finance Committee.

The Health Committee shall: (1) work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans; (2) assess the health needs of the community; (3) advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans; (4) sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and (5) support health initiatives of the Association.

Since our founding, the NAACP tirelessly supported globally recognized human and civil rights concerns throughout the world. In support of this aim, the NAACP has been involved in multiple international initiatives from 1909 through to the present.

Currently, the NAACP actively engages in advocacy and education before the United States Congress, the Administration, the United Nations and other international bodies, and foreign nations on a plethora of issues. These actions include working with members of the Congress and the Administration and their staff members in the crafting of policy and legislation; testifying and working with the United Nations to develop policies, protocols, covenants, and treaties; drafting and delivering testimony before the United States Congress; and creating and distributing Action Alerts, Issues Briefs and Issue Updates aimed at informing, educating, and engaging NAACP Members and the American public about different issues and how they can be more actively involved in making improvements.

 “There is no substitute for the work of the Dayton Unit NAACP, no other resource as capable of fulfilling the needs of our residents, and no other totally reliable, honest broker between government/business and the people which is better equipped or more vigilant than the Dayton Unit NAACP. It is a privilege to chair the Legal Redress Committee, and we stand ready to assist  on any and all issues. We are anxious to serve." 

~Atty. Gary J. Leppla

The Legal Redress Committee shall: (1) investigate all cases reported to it; (2) supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested; and (3) keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.

The Political Action Committee shall: (1) seek to increase registration and voting; (2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups; (3) seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation; (4) work to improve the administration of justice; (5) work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and (6) keep the National Office and the Unit informed of all proposed legislation which affects minority groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office. 

The Dayton Unit NAACP Scholarship Program provides scholarships for tuition, books, required fees and educational expenses for undergraduate study at any accredited university or college. This prestigious award is presented to high school graduates who maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate, marked leadership and academic abilities, and demonstrate a commitment to making a difference in the community. Also, the high school students must be a member of the NAACP in Montgomery County. 

General Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior
• Applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Applicant must be active in the community
• Applicant must be a member of the NAACP in Montgomery County
• Applicant must sign the application and have a parent/guardian signature on the application
• Applicant must obtain a copy of the 2019 fourth quarter nine weeks’ grade report from high school counselor.
• Applicant must list the universities, and or colleges you plan to attend
• Applicant must attach a recommendation form from a principal, counselor or teacher.
• Applicant must answer the essay question. How did your extracurricular activities/ civic and community involvement make you a better student and citizen? (The answer must be typed in font type “Times New Roman” and font size “12” and be approximately 100 words)
• Applicant must complete the essay, impact statement and the scholarship application in order to be considered for this scholarship. 

Scholarship Essays:

Applicant must complete the essays in order to be considered for this scholarship. The essay must be typed in font type “Times New Roman” and font size “12”.

1) How did your extracurricular activities/ civic and community involvement make you a better student and citizen? (The answer must be approximately 100 words) All applicants must answer this question.

2) To be considered for the Derrick L. Foward, M.C.E. Visionary Leadership Scholarship, you must type an essay to the following questions: “If you were an entrepreneur, what would be the vision statement of your company, and why? This must also include a business plan. These questions should spark the entrepreneurial spirit that is harnessed deep within the soul. Students need to consider becoming an entrepreneur so they are in a better positon to solve todays problems and be independent and not dependent on others.

Applications must be postmarked by Monday, October 10, 2019. Faxed and late applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For more information or questions please contact (937) 258-8694.

Completed applications, essay, grade report, and letter of recommendation form must be mailed to: 

Dayton Unit NAACP

Attn: Willie A. Terrell, Jr., Chairperson

Gooding, Williamson & Foward Visionary Leadership Scholarship

1528 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way

Dayton, Ohio 45402