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About the NAACP
HISTORY OF THE NAACP
OUR FOUNDERS
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​In 1908, a deadly race riot rocked the city of Springfield, eruptions of anti-black violence – particularly lynching – were horrifically commonplace, but the Springfield riot was the final tipping point that led to the creation of the NAACP. Appalled at this rampant violence, a group of white liberals that included Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard (both the descendants of famous abolitionists), William English Walling, and Dr. Henry Moscowitz issued a call for a meeting to discuss racial justice. Some 60 people, seven of whom were African American (including W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Mary Church Terrell), signed the call, which was released on the centennial of Lincoln's birth.​
On February 12, 1909, the nation's largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization was born.​Echoing the focus of Du Bois' Niagara Movement for civil rights, which began in 1905, NAACP aimed to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, which promised an end to slavery, provide equal protection of the law, and the right for all men to vote, respectively. Accordingly, the NAACP's mission is to ensure the political, and educational, equality of minority group citizens of States and eliminate racial prejudice. The NAACP works to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. The national office was established in New York City in 1910 as well as a board of directors and president, Moorfield Storey, a white constitutional lawyer and former president of the American Bar Association.
Other early members included Joel and Arthur Spingarn, Josephine Ruffin, Mary Talbert, Inez Milholland, Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, Sophonisba Breckinridge, John Haynes Holmes, Mary McLeod Bethune, George Henry White, Charles Edward Russell, John Dewey, William Dean Howells, Lillian Wald, Charles Darrow, Lincoln Steffens, Ray Stannard Baker, Fanny Garrison Villard, and Walter Sachs. Despite a foundational commitment to multiracial membership, Du Bois was the only African American among the organization's original executives. He was made director of publications and research and in 1910 established The Crisis, the acclaimed publication of the NAACP.
THE HISTORY OF THE H. BOYD HALL CHAPTER OF THE NAACP
The H. Boyd Hall chapter of the NAACP was the 68th chapter created in 1919. At that time thought it was just known as the Corpus Christi branch of the NAACP. It was created due to the injustices Corpus Christi African Americans faced every day. Although the population was very small, they were no less discriminated against than other African Americans across America. The mission was to help rid the people of racial discrimination and help promote the unity of the African American community. ​The Chapter name was created after one of the first presidents of the NAACP Corpus branch, Dr. H. Boyd Hall.
During the civil rights era, the H. Boyd Hall chapter was very active in promoting equality and being aggressive in its manner. Their members often had protests and organized speeches to encourage unity and discontent with how things were. After the civil rights era though, they became primarily figureheads in the community. They still promoted community unity and equality but did not pursue any cases or point out any injustice. This was due to the Nation NAACP changing its policy so that city chapters would have to be approved before pursuing lawsuits. This was so that the NAACP would not have as many lost cases. ​Today the NAACP's activity mostly stems from fundraising. They have their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards, or Black Awards, banquet each year in order to show that they are still there. It is also a time in which they bring together the community and raise money to maintain the local organization. ​
The NAACP headquarters in Corpus is located in Heritage Park at the Little Martin House. This house is especially representative of the NAACP because it was owned by an African American family during the early 20th Century. The house itself shows how the family was able to prosper even in the times when their race made them lesser. It just took hard work and determination and that is what the NAACP tries to impose upon people. That no matter what injustices you face, if you work hard, you can overcome it all. ​The leadership of the NAACP has always been critical to the success of African Americans in Corpus Christi. In recent years former presidents such as Vanilla Guy, Jimmy Wagner, Willie Hardeman, Helen Gurrlie, Joel Mumphord, and Coretta Graham worked to ensure programs and equality issues were addressed within the city. In 2021 the branch elected a young new leader Jeremy L. Coleman to take the helm; in the past year, the local NAACP has refocused back on the Mission of the NAACP, scholarships for Black students, Intake on discrimination complaints, establishing the H. Boyd Hall Youth Chapter.
In 2023 the focus will be on chartering the Texas A&M University Corpus Christi College Chapter, Criminal Justice Reform, Literacy Programs, and Mental Health. From police brutality to COVID-19 to voter suppression, Black communities are under attack. We work to disrupt inequality, dismantle racism, and accelerate change in key areas including criminal justice, health care, education, climate, and the economy. When it comes to civil rights and social justice, we have the unique ability to secure more wins than anyone else. Help make racial equity a reality.
Jeremy L. Coleman, NAACP President
About
Jeremy Coleman serves as President and chairman of the Corpus Christi region of the NAACP. In his capacity, he works closely to oversee the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination within his community in addition to providing extensive programs, and overseeing operations and budget.
With over 13 years of senior management and professional development in leadership, Coleman has played an integral role in the development of minority leaders in various roles. Jeremy is a graduate of Richard King High School and is completing his BA degree at Southern New Hampshire University. He holds a certificate in Quickbooks Management from Del Mar College, completed a Christian Biblical Discipleship for Leadership program; and currently pursuing a Certificate in Diversity and Cultural Leadership from Cornell University.
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Human Resources and HR Management are vital to the success of an organization and company Coleman believes. His career for the past 13 years has been in human resource management and community service. In his current role in keeping with the charge of our civil rights founders, he stands against all forms of injustice; and fights for justice until all, without regard to race, gender, creed or religion enjoy equal status.
Jeremy is very active in his local church and is passionate about community service. His roles as a current and past board member within Coastal Bend include the following:
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· Regional Transportation Authority, Board of Director
· Women’s and Men’s Health Clinic, Board of Director
· Art Museum of South Texas, Board of Director
· Brooks Chapel Development Center, Past Chairman
Jeremy spends the majority of his time reading and studying historic civil rights cases and ways to improve his local community. Coleman comes from a family of civil rights community leaders, Earl J. Coleman (father) and Raymond Coleman (uncle).
It’s a fact that Coleman believes and stands on “The Most Important Requirement” as a leader is that they (leaders) are faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing.
Meet the Team
THE EXECUTIVE TEAM:
Jeremy L. Coleman
President/ Legal Redress Chair
DeAnna King
Second Vice President/Political Action Chair
Curtis Clark
Vice President
Tenika Heslip
Secretary
Thea Cain
First Vice President//Youth Works Chair
Conner Rice
Assistant Secretary
Goldie Upshaw-Wooten
Treasurer
Ashton Habluetzel
Assistant Treasurer
Dr Angela Portis-Woodson
Freedom Fund Director
Dr Tammy Donaldson
W.I.N. Committee Chair
Sylvia Tryon
Historical Committee Chair/Juneteenth Chair
K.D. Logan
Veterans Affairs Chair
Denise Woodson
Education Chair
Meet the Team
Members-at-large
Omar Davis
K.D. Logan
Pamela Simms
Rev. Bennel Jackson
Deborah Varnar
Priscilla Cambric
Alice Upshaw-Hawkins