The Racine branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People received its charter from the national office in 1947 or 1950. Its first president was George Bray. Over the years, the branch has worked for open housing, equal employment opportunities and improved minority employment, school desegregation, and improved police-community relations.
Local NAACP branches are membership organizations, and form the smallest links in the organizational network of the NAACP. They may include youth councils, college chapters, and women's auxiliaries. Youth council membership is available to those between the ages of 16 and 25, while junior youth councils accept members ranging in age from 12 to 16. The branches within a state comprise a state conference, which in turn is associated with a regional office. The New York national office coordinates the activities of its many components, and receives a share of all membership fees from the branches. A Washington Bureau analyzes, and then supports or opposes, pending federal legislation. An annual convention is held to formulate binding policies and programs.
Within this administrative structure, the local branches operate with a great deal of autonomy. Committees perform most of the important work of the organization. An executive committee and board of directors exercise general control over each branch, deciding matters of branch policy, and drafting the yearly budget. Special committees are sometimes formed for a brief period to meet the specific needs of a branch. The Racine branch holds two annual fund raising events, the Freedom Fund Dinner and the Freedom Baby Contest. In addition, there are yearly or periodic events such as ministers' breakfasts, conferences and special meetings, talent shows, and king and queen contests.
The Racine branch was inactive from 1950 to 1953. Under president Julian Thomas (1964- ), the organization helped lead the 1960s drive to secure local and statewide open housing legislation, and desegregation of Racine schools. In 1964 the NAACP prodded the City of Racine to study the issue and write the “Comprehensive Minority Citizens Report,” a plan of attack on segregation that began with the closing of Howell School. By 1975, the Racine School Board had completed phase three of its school desegregation plan. The NAACP was also deeply involved with local affirmative action during the 1970s, encouraging businesses and government to draft and implement affirmative action plans. Community action programs sponsored and funded by the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity were also administered through the Racine NAACP during the 1960s. The group also worked with the Racine Environment Committee Inc., the private sector, and corporate industry.
Past presidents of the Racine NAACP
- George Bray, 1947-1948
- William “Blue” Jenkins, 1949-1950
- Corinne Owens, 1953-1954
- Novell Weaver, 1955-1956
- Tommy Bishop, 1957
- William Jenkins, 1958
- George Bray, 1959
- Dale Upchurch, 1960-1962
- Sloan Williams, 1963
- Julian Thomas, 1964-
