Wilmington hosts 64th annual NAACP State Convention

Wilmington is host to the state NAACP convention this year. Thursday night, the organization’s leaders held a community worship service at Union Baptist Church.

This is the 64th annual state convention for the NAACP. This year, the theme is “Fighting For Our Children, Not Ourselves.” A message local leaders say Wilmington needs to hear.

The NAACP is growing and the organization says its achieved its highest membership growth in the south. The community worship at the Union Baptist Church was attended by more than a hundred people. Local leaders say it’s an honor for Wilmington to host this year’s convention. A convention that will address some statewide concerns that city leaders say are problems right here.

“Problems as far as education is concerned problems as far as re-segregation of schools in some areas, and I think Wilmington is kind of a focal point for some of those problems,” City Council member, Earl Sheridan said.

In addition to education and economic issues, the convention’s agenda also includes discussing affordable housing, and international affairs. It’s also designed to teach leadership skills, and how one person can make a difference.

“I grew up one street over in a housing development called Creekwood and what I explained was I grew up in the projects, but the projects didn’t grow up in me,” Poet Trina Thoughtz said, “What we are here to do is to take the streets back,”

The organization hopes to continue its fight for racial justice; a cause the NAACP has been fighting for 98 years.

The convention continues through the weekend. Local members of the organization say they look forward to showing other members what Wilmington has to offer.