Jameel Williams has been an influence in the lives of young people as an educator in Vance County Schools for more than three decades. Now, as president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Williams has the opportunity to provide a different type of education.
“Together, we can move forward,” Williams said – more than once – during an interview on Wednesday’s TownTalk.
Just recently, the local chapter has added more than 30 new members to its list, and Williams said that’s a good start, but he’s not satisfied. “We need your membership,” he said, adding that adults can join for $30 a year and youth memberships are available for just $10 a year.
In fact, Williams joined the local chapter when he was in high school. The late Dr. Andrea Harris and Margaret Ellis, longtime school board member were the reason he got involved.
“We worked hard,” he recalled, knocking on doors back in the ‘70’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s on behalf of the local chapter.
In 1984, he received a scholarship for $400 from the local chapter to attend St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh. He credits those two women with motivating him to be his best.
There are chapter-sponsored Fun Days to go along with the more productive work of the chapter, including voter registration drives and fish fry fundraisers. And plans are underway for a banquet, a once annual function that hasn’t been held in a few years. The date and location have been set – February 2024 at Vance Granville Community College – and now the banquet committee can hash out the details.
The other elected officers of the chapter include:
First Vice President – LaMont Noel
Second Vice President – Gregory Perry
Secretary – Lorelei Winckler
Assistant Secretary – Teresa Perry
Treasurer – Tony Peace
Assistant Treasurer – Michael T. Henderson
To learn more about the Vance County Chapter of the NAACP, contact Williams at Jam8251965@gmail.com or follow them on social media to stay updated on upcoming programs and events.