Highlights
The NAACP hosted Paint Night with a Twist on February 29, 2020 at the Masonic Lodge in Windham
, CT 06256. This was our first Paint Night with a Twist. Attendees were treated to a night of knowledge and self-care. We learned about Civil Rights Advocacy by incorporating the history of Sankofa into our branch work. Sankofa is a word in Twi language of Ghana. It is the symbol of a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg from its back. It expresses reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress.Rallies and Protests
Rally for Kyron Marcell Sands
The local NAACP hosted a public rally for Kyron Marcell Sands on Tuesday, July 15, 2019 on the steps of Windham Town Hall in Willimantic demanding transparency concerning Mr. Sands death. Sands’ parents spoke to the press for the first time since their son’s death pleading for answers from the law enforcement departments involved. Over 60 people attended the rally.
Kyron Marcell Sands died in a police shootout after leading officers on a car chase from Norwich to Willimantic on February 20, 2019. Rodney Alexander said, “The civilian review board is a venue to air grievances, express concerns and voice recognitions.” Mr. Alexander is the local NAACP Vice President.
Taking a Knee for George Floyd
On June 5, 2020, over 1,000 people from Willimantic and surrounding towns protested the death of George Floyd by racist police officers and the 400 years of white privilege and racism. The NAACP Protest kicked off subsequent rallies held in Pomfret, Woodstock, Danielson, Scotland and more.
WILI Boom Box Parade
The local branch of the NAACP traditionally celebrates July 4th with local and state leaders in the WILI Boom Box Parade. (In 2020, the parade was canceled because of COVID-19.) This unique parade features no marching bands and has gained much attention for its unusual and distinctive floats and participants, called “Connecticut’s Unique People’s Parade.”
1st Annual Freedom Fund Dinner
Theme: Purpose, Passion & Political Action
Keynote: Andrew Woods, CEO Hartford Communities That Care
Honorees
Community Service :
- Corey Baker
- Margaret Gledhill
- James Flores
Humanitarian Award:
- Reverend & Mrs. Ernest Kinsler
President’s Award:
- Dr. Stacey Close
Black Excellence Award
- Kenneth Taylor
Jacqueline Owens Above & Beyond:
- Dr. Patricia Garcia
2nd Annual Freedom Fund Gala
Theme: Be a Champion for Change
Keynote: Lottie B. Scott, Writer and Author of the book “Deep South – Deep North: A Family’s Journey”
Honorees
Community Service:
- Kim Haddad
- Jennie Navarro
Humanitarian Award:
- Susan Johnson
- Dennis O’Brien
President’s Award:
- Dwight Bachman
Black Excellence Award:
- Richard Mitchel
Special Supporter of the Windham/Willimantic Branch of the NAACP
- Daniel Syme
Jacqueline Owens Above & Beyond:
- Rodney Alexander