Ben Cohen once said, “We’re all here in this world for some reason or another. If you’re aware of injustice, you can either ignore it, say there is nothing you can do about it and not do anything, or put your energies into doing something about it.”

I concur with this statement. For more than 111 years the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has put all of its energies into fighting for freedom, justice and equality for all people. As President of the Bay County Branch NAACP, it is my pleasure and privilege to greet you and welcome you to our website. As you browse this website, you will be able to access information regarding our identity, our history, our leadership, our community calendar, our photo gallery, how to contact us, how to become a member, how to volunteer, how to make donations, how to file a civil rights violation complaint, the Bay County NAACP Youth Council, current NAACP news, our Facebook Page and other NAACP social media networks.

It is with pride and joy that I introduce you to our branch. Since November 2008, I have been honored and humbled to provide leadership for the Bay County Branch NAACP.  The NAACP has a rich history, accepts the challenges of today and works to ensure social justice for future generations. It is the nation’s premier civil rights organization. It was founded on February 12, 1909. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the preeminent advocates for civil and human rights in their communities.

The Bay County Branch NAACP was chartered in 1944. It came into existence during an era of racial terrorism, inequality and disenfranchisement for Blacks. The branch began its work by endeavoring to lead Blacks to work in unity for the common good of the community. The branch promoted racial pride and progress in the Black community. The branch later played a pivotal role in breaking the backbone of “Jim Crow’s” power in Bay County. Lunch counters were opened to Black citizens and public schools were desegregated. Integration became a reality as a result of civil disobedience, arrests, marches, peaceful demonstrations, advocacy and litigation.

In the 21^st century we are still facing a litany of social injustices. Our litany would include, but not be limited to mass incarceration, police brutality, unemployment, voter suppression, poverty, a failing educational system, health disparities, unaffordable health insurance and systemic racism. The working committees of our branch have made a difference in addressing these vital issues. Our branch continues to monitor equal opportunities in both the public and private sector. We receive complaints from citizens from our community related to discrimination in government, employment and housing.

We have made notable progress in Bay County. Notwithstanding this, the struggle, continues. There are people who are trying to reverse our progress. Thus, we must be vigilant at all times for political movements and strategies that are designed to usurp our progress. We are compelled to keep working and moving towards a more equitable and liberated society. We are cognizant that the struggle for equality exists in many forms.  In spite of the obstacles and opposition, we keep working for change. We are committed to do so, because equality and justice belong to all persons regardless of race, gender, creed, religious beliefs, color, ethnicity, national origin, level of educational attainment, economic status, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, marital status, or sexual orientation.

We must continue our meaningful and much needed work to dismantle systemic racial barriers that for generations have blocked social and economic progress for Black people in Bay County and throughout our nation. This vital work has been passed down through the lineage of our forefathers, foremothers and all of the civil rights activists who have gone on before us. We work diligently to create a society for our children and their children…a society which respects the virtues of human rights, freedom, equality and dignity.

In Solidarity

Dr. Rufus L. Wood, Jr.