Patricia Avery steps down as NAACP Champaign County President

Dear NAACP Champaign County Executive Branch and General Body Members:

It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve as your President for the past six years.  It is always my intention, as a freedom fighter and defender of truth, to serve this branch and our people with the utmost integrity.

With that said, it is with fullness of heart that I step down today as your leader to pursue the Office of Lieutenant Governor for the State of Illinois. I do so knowing the NAACP Champaign County Branch will be left in good hands under the great leadership of Minnie Pearson.   Minnie is an experienced and devoted leader who has the courage, tenacity, and knowledge to meet each challenge head on. I have full confidence in her leadership and abilities to be successful as your President. I know she will succeed because she will have the strong support of a great and very talented executive team.

Our branch is strong; our people are stronger.

Martin Luther King Jr, wrote “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable…Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

I am, in no way, tired. I will always be committed to the fight against racism and discrimination wherever it rears its ugly head. Under the circumstances, I am handing over the reins to Minnie.

Over the past six years the NAACP Champaign County Branch were able to address a large number of important issues and challenges facing our community.  Together we accomplished a lot for which we can be proud.  We need to acknowledge our accomplishments. I have listed some below.

Thank you again CCNAACP for allowing me to serve as your President of The LARGEST And The Oldest, The BADDEST And The BOLDEST, The MOST LOVED And MOST HATED, The MOST FEARED And REVERED, the MOST CUSSED And DISCUSSED Civil Rights Organization in America. It has truly been my honor to serve all of you.

I encourage all those individuals who are looking to serve a higher purpose to join the NAACP, because “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” MLK, Jr.

I will continue to be of service and a member of this branch.  I will always answer the call in the fight for injustice.

Always forward seeking peace and justice,

Patricia A. Avery

President 2011-2017

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NAACP Champaign County Accomplishments 2011 – 2017

• We hosted Six Freedom Fund Banquets.
• We doubled our membership.
• We informed voters by co-hosting yearly candidates’ forums with League of Women Voters, Newsgazette and WILL-Public TV.
• We got the Champaign County Board Redistricting Map Approved – May 20, 2011
  The Champaign County board approved a 10-year district map Thursday night that was drawn by the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The map seeks to amplify the impact of minority groups during elections.
• We spoke out against the Urbana Police Departments use of tasers.
  Apr 28, 2014. For Urbana City Council’s first public discussion on tasers, the NAACP showed up in numbers to ask the city council to deny police officials’ request for Tasers. We supported our request by reading dozens of names of people who have died in Taser-related deaths.
• We sat at the table and advocated for years for the City of Champaign Citizens Review Board and in Jan 2017 the city council approved the creation of one. Champaign Council Signs Off On Plan For Citizen Review Of Police … Jan 24, 2017
• We advocated for the use of body cams and now Champaign Police are using them.
  • Support for body camera purchase sought in Champaign | News … Jul 26, 2016 CHAMPAIGN — A request for 125 new body cameras has the support of Champaign’s mayor and the head of the local NAACP
  • Champaign police officers officially wearing body cameras | News …Apr 4, 2017 – The Champaign Police Department is now among area law enforcement agencies who are using body cameras.
• President Avery did several interviews on race relations.
  • Interview with Jim Meadows – Champaign County NAACP Pres. Avery on relations between Police & African American Community – December 9, 2014.
  • Champaign County NAACP Pres. Avery On Police & African American …
• We organized Peace Walk, Rallies, and Neighborhood Clean-Ups.
  • NAACP Champaign County Branch hosting peace walk and neighborhood clean-up – Jun 18, 2016
  • Silver Vawter Community Peace Walk and Beautification and Fellowship – May 6, 2017
• We fought against Champaign Police Excessive Use of Force which ultimately led to the firing Officer Matt Rush.
  • Local organizations are calling for the termination of Champaign Police Officer Matt Rush in regards to investigations over excessive use of force. December 14, 2015
  • Champaign Permanently Terminates Officer Matt Rush | News Local …
• We Investigate Allegations of Discrimination Against Employees at U of I Facilities and Services – May 6, 2016
  • F&S director leaving for different UI job | News-Gazette.com
  • May 19, 2016 – Seven black current and former Facilities and Services employees — who call themselves the “University of Illinois Seven” — allege that they’ve faced years of discrimination, being denied … The NAACP has been working with the employees and met with Wilson several times to discuss the complaints.
  • Won U. S. Department of Agriculture Age Discrimination Case
  • F&S noose incident prompts probes | News-Gazette.com
  • Apr 29, 2016 – URBANA — A University of Illinois groundskeeper was fired earlier this … in the UI Facilities and Services department, NAACP President Patricia … “We are still investigating the incidents that have been going on with F&S.”
• Implemented new standing committees
  • Justice Reform Committee
  • Environmental and Climate
  • Technology and Communication