The Garland Unit of the NAACP will host its 20th Winter Ball Feb. 14 at the Hyatt Place in Garland. This milestone anniversary event is a great time to honor the organization for its tireless dedication to making Garland a better city.
The Garland Unit of the NAACP was chartered July 6, 1984, with 127 members. Goldie Locke served as the founding president and Johnnie O. Steadham was the first vice president. Ricky McNeal is the current president.
The Garland Unit has earned many awards and enjoyed countless accomplishments. The organization has made a profound difference in the African American community as well as in the community as a whole. Part of the mission of the NAACP is to “eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.” The Garland Unit works toward this mission in numerous ways.
The organization has done, and continues to do, amazing things for Garland ISD students: A few examples include:
- Was a plaintiff to the original school desegregation court order filed by the United States Justice Department and the Texas Education Agency. This judgment is still in effect today.
- Awarded scholarships to more than 100 seniors in Garland ISD.
- Hosted the ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competitions.
- Sponsored ACT-SO Gold Medal winners to travel to national ACT-SO competitions.
- Created a ‘Stay-in-School, Back-to-School program called EXCEL for African American middle school students in 1994. Later expanded to include elementary school students, the program was renamed the Goldie Locke EXCEL Awards.
- Helped form the Garland NAACP Youth Council 1996. It is one of the elite Youth Councils in Texas and has received numerous awards.
- Co-sponsored a 2010-2012 math enrichment program for African American teens called “Project Edge” in partnership with the Garland ISD.
The Garland Unit has had a number of members involved in the local politics:
- Honorable Ronald Jones, Sr. – first African American Mayor of Garland, served three terms.
- Honorable James Culp – first African American on Garland City Council.
- Honorable Annie Dickson – first African American female on Garland City Council; served two consecutive terms on council and was first person of color to run for mayor – fell short by only 47 votes.
- Honorable Linda Griffin – first African American on Garland ISD board of trustees, has served as board president and secretary and continues to serve on board.
- Honorable Billy Williams – African American Garland City Council Member for District 4.
- A number of NAACP Garland Unit members serve as Garland police officers and firefighters. Members also serve on the Fire Department Hiring Review Boards and on several other city boards and commissions.
The organization is also responsible for a number of annual events in Garland:
- Organized the Garland MLK parade and march in 1989. Celebration includes a youth extravaganza and is the largest suburban MLK event in Texas.
- Held first Freedom Fund banquet in 1991. Mr. Lenell Jeter, who was wrongfully convicted in a later overturned criminal case, served as a program participant.
- Hosted the first Black History Month Winter Ball in 2001- a black-tie event to recognize citizens who are making a positive impact in the community.
- Hosted the first Garland NAACP health fair in 2003 – it is now one of the largest and most successful annual health fairs in the tri-city region.
The Garland Unit has won awards and has a long list of accomplishments. A few include:
- Received distinguished NAACP Thalheimer National Award in 2001 for exemplary service in the areas of civil rights, education, housing, health and social change.
- Hosted the 2012 NAACP Texas State Conference Quarterly Meeting.
- Hosted a 2013 NAACP Certification Training session.
- Hosted the 2013 NAACP Texas State Convention.
- Hosts informative political forums and legal redress workshops.
- Hosts educational training sessions and voter registration drives.
- Richard Dockery, NAACP regional director, chaired the standing-room-only organizational meeting where two key issues were addressed: 1) the firing of African American police officer Sam Allen; 2) substandard schools in the minority area of Garland. Allen was later rehired as a Garland firefighter.
- Fought for African American employees of E-Systems by winning a 1988 discrimination case.
Tickets are available until Feb. 10. Click here to purchase.