b'COMMUNITY NEWSOmar Montgomery and the Aurora Branch NAACPBy Omar Montgomery, Pres. NAACP of Aurora standingoftheorganizationsmission.Ididhow- an Economic Development Center to support small ever notice that in every discussion people broughtbusinessesandjobseekersbyofferingtechnical thenameoftheorganizationuptoeitherpraiseassistance,workshops,andmuchmore.Thegoal Itheir efforts or criticize their lack of involvement. Iof the Economic Development Center is to prepare love the NAACP! The history of the NAACP is one of the many reasons why I became an active memberalsonoticedthattheNAACPBlack/BIPOCbusiness although I was very critical of the organization whenwasoneofthemoststableleadersforfutureeco-I was younger. The National NAACP was founded inCivilRights/SocialJusticenomicopportunities 1909, deadly race riots eruptions of anti-black vio- organizations which made meand to enhance wealth lenceparticularly lynchingswere horrifically com- rethink my views and join thebuilding. monplace, but these riots were the final tipping pointNAACP.IbecameanactiveTheBranchpartner-that led to the creation of the NAACP Feb. 12, 1909.memberin2007andservedship with Visit Aurora, Jim Crow laws and segregation gave white supremiston the Education Committee.VillageExchange freedom to exploit these practices to restrict BlackThe NAACP is just one of sev- Center, Second Chance People from voting, they incarcerated Black People ateral organizations I belong toCenter,andmost alarming rates, and used sharecropping to supportworkingtoimprovethecon- ofallthesupportof southern white farmers with free labor. The NAACPditionsofBlackAmericafortheAuroraBranchof was established to fight against these practices andinstance I am proud membertheNAACPiswhat has continued to be a major voice in Civil Rights forofOmegaPsiPhiFraternitymadetheEconomic over one hundred ten years. Inc, Prince Hall Mason, I amOmar Montgomery DevelopmentCenter TheAuroraBranchoftheNAACPwasfoundeda commentator on a podcastareality.Yes,westill July9,1991,byDr.BarbaraShannonBanistertitled Dope Black Thoughtshave plenty of work to and the Branch celebrated 30 years of service lastandIpartnerwithseveraldo because we are currently fundraising so that we year.TheAuroraBranchoftheNAACPupholdsother organizations on different projects. canstayinthefacilitylong-termandtocontinue themissionandvisionofthenationaloffice.TheIbecameinterestedinbeingpresidentoftheto offer the services for free. I plan on writing other Aurora Branch of Voting Rights/Education, CriminalAuroraBranchafterhavingseveralconversationsarticles in the future about the work of the Aurora Justice Reform, housing, homelessness, education,withCentennialCouncilMemberMarloAlston,Branch of the NAACP to include police reform, civil public safety reform, and working on projects withNAACP Youth Chair Gail Pough, Founder Dr. Barbararights,economicjustice,andeducation.Isenda theAfricanLeadershipGrouptobridgethegapShannon Banister, and former President Dr. Levesterspecial thanks to God, my family, and the Aurora between Africans and African Americans. Lyons about the future of the Aurora Branch of theBranch of the NAACP for all of your support!!I was elected President of the Aurora Branch of theNAACP. I presented my vision to the general body, NAACP October 2015. As stated earlier I was criticalthe selection committee and fortunately I was electedLastly, we will always stand with Sheneen McClain of the NAACP during my early years as an activistPresident Nov. 2015. in getting justice for Elijah McClain! becauseatthetimeIdidnthaveaclearunder- Recently, the Aurora Branch of the NAACP openedSay his name Elijah McClain.COLORADO SPRINGSADVERTISEYOUR CHURCH HERE! email information to:info@bocnews.com18 MARCH 2022 BOCNEWS.com'