Support for the NAACP’s Next Generation (NAACP NextGen) Program

WHEREAS, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) launched its pilot Next Generation (NEXTGEN) Young Professional Leadership Program in 2018; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP Next Generation Program is a 12-month leadership development training program for young adult NAACP members between the ages of 21 and 35 to be trained on social justice, civic engagement, health advocacy, criminal justice, economic empowerment, education, legislative action and direct action to be actively volunteer in adult branches; and

WHEREAS, membership is the lifeblood of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, all NEXTGEN graduates are Subscribing Life Members of an Adult Branch in their jurisdiction and all NEXTGEN participants are required to become a Subscribing Life Members of an Adult Branch within 30 days of acceptance into the NEXTGEN Program; and

WHEREAS, young adults and professionals are significant force-multipliers within the community, tend to be highly civically engaged and active in aggressively creating change; and

WHEREAS, this young adult and professional population has a critical role to play in the future of the NAACP in terms of leadership, talent, resources and capacity; and

WHEREAS, the longevity of the NAACP benefits from investing in a progressive young adult base; and

WHEREAS, the NEXTGEN Program graduated 74 NAACP members in its first 2018 inaugural class, representing Branches in 29 states and 7 regions; and

WHEREAS, NEXTGEN participants receive comprehensive leadership and advocacy training in order to develop leadership competencies that will enable them to become effective civil rights leaders, volunteers and active members of Adult Branches; and

WHEREAS, NEXTGEN training topics include NAACP Game Changers: Economic, Health, Education, Criminal Justice, Get Out the Vote (GOTV), and Environmental Justice; and

WHEREAS, NEXTGEN works in tandem with Leadership 500 (L500) and the NAACP's Youth & College Division in order to deliver a vertically aligned leadership development initiative.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP recognizes the NAACP NEXTGEN Program and supports its leadership education components through the continuation of in-person training sessions, issue-based advocacy webinars, and any other professional development opportunities available to its graduates.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Branch, State/State-Area Conference and Regional Leadership are urged to make every effort to support young adult members to actively engage volunteer workers in Branches.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NAACP Branches and State/State Area Conferences are urged to welcome and engage young adult NAACP members and NEXTGEN NAACP members to volunteer as active members of Branch Committees and NAACP projects.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP advocates for continued support of the NAACP NEXTGEN Program.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages all Units to motivate young adults to participate in the NAACP NEXTGEN Program.