NAACP members to choose new leader for their Boston chapter

NAACP members to choose new leader for their Boston chapter

By Russell Contreras
Associated Press / November 29, 2010

The Boston chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, one of the nation’s oldest, is scheduled to elect a new leader today, as it faces criticism for not remaining active.

Bill Owens, 73, a former state senator, and Michael Curry, 43, a lawyer, are vying to succeed Karen Payne.

Payne stepped down from leadership of the group earlier this year to pursue an unsuccessful run for state representative.

Members are voting at Roxbury Community College as some of them say the Boston chapter is not doing enough to reach out to younger potential members nor is it speaking out more on the issues of the day.

That affects the NAACP’s chances of growing in the Boston area and of addressing civil rights complaints, said member Marchelle Jacques-Yarde.

“The Boston branch does need a lot of work,’’ said Jacques-Yarde, 28. “I feel that it has faded into the background and it’s time to reengage with the community.’’

Julia Hardy Cofield, acting president of NAACP Boston, said the chapter has remained active on numerous fronts, including registering new voters and driving elderly voters to the polls.

Next year will mark the chapter’s 100th anniversary.

Owens is a longtime Boston civil rights leader, and Curry is legislative affairs director for the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.

Both men and their supporters have campaigned aggressively through social media, radio, and community newspapers in their quest for the two-year term. Members say it has been years since they have seen such an active campaign for the chapter’s presidency.

Jacques-Yarde, who supports Curry, said many members view the election as an opportunity for the next generation to take the helm of the Boston group.

But supporters of Owens said the former senator was asked to run and has the experience to reinvigorate the chapter.