OUR HISTORY

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909 by a multiracial group activist and interested citizens. The principal objective of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States. The NAACP is committed to non-violence and relies upon the press, the petition, the ballot, and the courts, even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility.

Manchester, New Hampshire Branch #2069 was established in 1964 by a group of Black and white citizens who believed in the democratic process to ensure equal opportunity for all. The organization was founded at a time in the history of New Hampshire when the minority population was very small. Residents of African descent were subjected to the typical social practices current at that time. As the nascent Civil Rights movement was emerging in the South, the New Hampshire Union Leader became a vocal opponent; however, the Manchester NAACP founders believed that the principles of freedom and democracy were not limited by race, creed or color. They came together to form a chapter of the NAACP, the premier civil rights organization of the day, as a beacon of support for brotherhood and civil rights.

In its 55-year history, the leadership and membership of the organization has been a testament to the diversity of Manchester, New Hampshire. Branch activities have included housing and employment discrimination programs, college preparation workshops and support for the passage of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. state holiday. Individuals of every age, race, religion and creed have been members of the Manchester Branch. Despite the challenges faced by members, Branch #2069 has been chartered for 55 years continuously. We continue to carry on the tradition of the largest and oldest, the best and boldest civil rights organization in America.

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.

The following statement of objectives is found on the first page of the NAACP Constitution—the principal objectives of the Association shall be:

• To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens
• To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States
• To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
• To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights
• To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination
• To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.

The Crisis has been the national NAACP's official magazine throughout its history.  (Now also online at https://www.thecrisismagazine.com/.)  Some issues are available online:

• Very early issues at the Modernist Journal Project
• April, 1942 issue at HathiTrust
• Most issues from the twentieth century and early twenty-first century are available here and here at Google Books