Battle Creek Branch of the NAACP

The local Battle Creek Branch of the NAACP was organized in 1924. 

George Carruthers was the first president.  In the early years, there were many cases of discrimination in public places and efforts were made to obtain jobs where African Americans had never been employed.   Some of the efforts involved legal proceedings as one method of fighting discrimination.   One of the first lawsuits ever won against a local business was settled with a judgment of $35.00

 1932 - Attorney James R. Golden was elected president of 1932.  For over a decade the branch was inactive.  However, in 1943 it was reorganized with Dan Patton Sr., as president serving from 1943-1945.  The new leadership acquired several jobs for local residents, including a chef's job at the Calhoun County Jail.

 1945 - 1946 - Clifton Woods served as president.  A significant contribution made during his tenure was the hiring of the first black teacher.  Frances Garrett.  Later Mattye Vest was hired and became one of Battle Creek's First black woman principals.

1947-1948 - John Carter served as president.  During his tenure the first annual banquets was held and has been a continuing tradition ever since. 

1949-1951 - George Maxwell succeeded Mr. Carter.  Under his leadership the branch became more involved by participating in the F.E.P.C. Conference and Mobilization in Lansing Michigan, the state capital.

1952-1954 - Otis Buchanan served as president.

1954- 1955 - Judge Shelton Penn served as President and was influential in getting the first black student admitted to Argubright Business College.

1955-1956 - Robert Zeltman served as President.

1956 - John Evans was elected President, but due to his untimely death, Dan Patton Jr. was appointed until 1958.  Mr. Patton proved himself worthy of the honor by increasing membership to 629, exceeding the fundraising goals and receiving the prestigious Thaalheimer Award.

1959    George Thomas served as President

1960   Evelyn Golden assumed the presidency and expanded the membership roll to 800.  By the time of the annual dinner was held, the membership had increased to be the second largest in the state.   Because of philosophical differences, Mrs. Golden Turned over her leadership reigns to Rev. Paul D. Bigby and he completed her distinguished term from 1960 -1961.

1961-1962   Sid Adams served as President.  His push was to get Black employment with the businesses that were within the black community.

1963-1967   William Boards Jr.  served as President.  He distinguished himself and the NAACP by working tirelessly working with the black youth of the community during a period of turmoil.  He founded the "Recondos' which helped black youth formal dialogue about several topics, staying in school and the importance of education.  Mr. Boards was also responsible for booting the self-esteem of many black youth and made himself available to them.

1967- The Rev. Louis T. Perry, local mortician was elected to lead the Branch but  later resigned.

1968 - Nicholas Sheppard led the organization.  The push was to steer our black students towards more professional careers instead of the traditional "Suzy Homemaker" domestic or labor jobs. Due to a job transfer Sheppard appointed John Griffin to complete his term as President.

1968-1969 - Fleeter Turner

1970-1971 - Elmer Scudder

1972-1973 - Cezar Tyjewski

1974-1975 - Fred Beatty

1976-1977 - James Dickerson

1978 - 1980- Sherman Ward served as President.  A police community relations agreement was signed and the "Coaltion to End Police Brutality" was initiated to help ease the tensions in the city.

1981-1985 - Emily Word was elected to serve as President.  Her efforts brought Julian Bond to speak at the Miller Stone building to a standing room only audience.  The branch also hosted the Michigan State Conference, the Youth Council was reactivated, Veterans Drop-In Center was formed, and the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics was started for the youth of Battle Creek.  Mrs. Word was elected to a third term from 1989-1991.  The aforementioned policies continued to be her main priorities.

1985-1986- Charles W. Cribbs was elected as President and continued to work toward race relations in the community, i.e., police employment and discriminatory practices.  The Life Memberships and Golden Memberships were taken to a new level.

1987-1988 - Marilyn Walters served as President

1991 - 1992 - Taylor Jones served as President.  The branch organized a women's NAACP (WIN) committee. Their duties included organizing a Debutante/Scholarship Ball, providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the homeless and hosting the Heritage Quiz Bowl for students.  

1992 -1996 - Maude J. Bristol-Perry served as President.  She was the first African American woman elected as Mayor of the City of Battle Creek.  Mrs. Bristol-Perry adopted as her platform "Moving in a New Direction" and endeavoured to initiate programs to enhance economic opportunities for all residents of Battle Creek. 

1996-2000 - Carey J. Whitfield served as President. Mr. Whitfield was involved in the equality treatment with the Battle Creek Police Department, equity of employment and termination of policies as they apply to the Equal Opportunity laws mandated by the federal government.  He was also involved in acquiring grants to facilitate diversity training for major corporations and companies in the City of Battle Creek. 

2000-2002 - Betty Tuggle served as President. During her tenure the NAACP undertook numerous projects that were important to the community, including City Park Clean-Up, Student Clerical at the NAACP office, Youth Summit, Lakeland Prison NAACP Chapter in Coldwater, Michigan, and the NAACP Educational Week.  She was also active in researching and addressing the numerous complaints of our community via the legal redress committee. 

2002 to present - Roberta H. Cribbs was elected as branch President.  During her Presidency the branch hosted the 67th and 68th Annual Convention of the Michigan State Conference of the NAACP.  The first annual Battle Creek JUNETEENTH Celebration was initiated in 2003.  Ms. Jeffery Dinkins organized the First Black Parade as part of the 2006 JUNETEENTH Celebration.  Continuing the enrichment of the ACT-SO  Program the Branch had its first ACT-SO winner, Bianca Edwards who placed 2nd in Poetry on the National level.   The branch also collaborated with the Battle Creek Transit Authority and coordinated a black bow tribute to Ms. Rosa Parks commemorating her death.  In 2006 the Branch also participated vigorously in the March and Rally to try to defeat the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ( MCRI) terminating Affirmative Action in the State of Michigan.