Who is NAACP of Thurston County? And why are we still needed?

Angela Jefferson

When many people hear “The NAACP” they usually think about Black history, maybe racial justice, marching or demonstrations about injustice.

In our local community, the new National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Thurston County is focused on the everyday realities and concerns of Black and marginalized people. The rapid growth of Thurston County is bringing more of this population into our community.  This is due to stable state jobs, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and more people moving from Seattle and other states.  It is worth taking a closer look at who the NAACP is and why our work matters.  

History

 Founded in 1909, the NAACP is America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.  Our organization was founded by a diverse group of mostly White and a few Black activists, journalists, lawyers and educators, whose main goal was to fight lynching, segregation and discrimination after the deadly 1908 Springfield, Illinois, race riot.  

During the 1908 riot, Black homes and businesses were burned and looted, and many Black Americans were severely beaten and murdered. Over 2,000 Black residents were forced to flee the city and never returned.  

This was a shock to the nation because it happened in the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln.  The riot exposed that racial violence and white supremacy violence was not limited to the South, it occurred everywhere. 

The NAACP of Thurston County was officially formed in 2020 right before the pandemic. The chapter remained inactive until Aug. 3, 2024. On this day, seven community members (consisting of an activist, a church reverend, a lawyer, an educator, two retired Army soldiers and a nonprofit executive, met at New Life Baptist Church, the oldest Black Church in Thurston County.  

The Black church has always played a major role in the growth of the NAACP, and the broader civil rights movement in general.  For generations, Black churches were much more than places of worship, they served as community centers, schools and meeting spaces.  They were safe welcoming places during segregation and today. In Thurston County, the history of inclusion stretches back further than many people realize.

Early pioneers like George Bush helped establish New Market, now known as Tumwate. Similar to many places across the country, this region has also experienced periods where access and opportunity were not equally available to everyone. Understanding our full history will help explain our mission, values and vision. 

Civil rights shape our lives in many ways. Here in Thurston County, it shows up in who has access to housing, gaps in educational outcomes like graduation and discipline rates, representation in leadership in government, education, and in the criminal justice system.

These systems are connected to the same underlying question of fairness, access and equity. The question moving forward is how do we, as a community, choose to address it, and if we are willing to take meaningful steps to make sure equal opportunity is truly shared by all people. 

The NAACP of Thurston County works to address these issues through advocacy, education and community engagement. This also includes supporting efforts to improve our local schools, advocating for fair housing policies, partnering with community organizations, and creating spaces for dialogue and action. It also means showing up and speaking up.  This could be at city council meetings, school board meetings, court hearings and community events to ensure civil rights remain part of our conversation. This work is not done in isolation; it’s done in partnership with the broader community. 

What can you do

We invite you to be part of our work, and learn more about our values and mission by clicking here. Volunteer or join other organizations who believe in freedom, equality and a healthy democracy for every citizen.  Learn what issues are affecting your community by attending or watching your city council, county commissioners or school board meeting. Sign up and show up to speak when it’s an issue that you care about.   

Looking ahead

Building a safer and more equitable community requires input from we the people. By understanding who the NAACP is and the role it plays, we better understand how each of us fits into the work of creating a more welcoming community.

My next colum will discuss what civil rights mean in our everyday lives, and how they show up in ways we may not always recognize. 

Angela Jefferson is a Tumwater City Council member and a member of the NAACP of Thurston County, with a passion for social justice, civic engagement, education and local history.