Kofi Annan – Candidate for President
Contact Information: Phone: 240-601-0871; E-Mail: [email protected]
Why are you interested in serving as President of the Fairfax County NAACP?
The fight for equality continues. With the discourse in the country surrounding police
brutality against Blacks, I could not sit and do nothing. I stepped forward and joined the
fight against inequality through the NAACP as it has always been, and is still, best
positioned to affect policy changes locally and nationally. The NAACP needs strong and
passionate leadership to engage its membership to affect positive change. Therefore, if
elected, my number one priority would be to improve the branch by focusing on the
following three areas:
o
improving our internal cohesion to collectively evolve as change agents within
our community;
o
improving our finances and growing our membership, to achieve our goals and
meet our financial obligations
o
and leading the chapter with new and dynamic programming, to address public
safety, criminal justice, healthcare disparity and supporting educational initiatives.
Please provide a summary of your skills and abilities that would be of value in the role you are seeking.
I have many years of managerial experience. I served 8 years in the US Army where I was supervised 20 + soldiers. I
have great listening and communication skills, which are two key skills required when running an organization like the
NAACP. Upon joining the branch, I volunteered to co-chair the “Get Out To Vote” initiative. I organized several Voter
Registration drives and continue to canvass, ensuring minorities are knowledgeable of the issues and why they should
and need to vote. I am a member of the Communications, Press, and Publicity Committee; and an active participant
and supporter of the in the efforts to rename the J.E.B Stuart High School. I am also working on the redesign of the
branch’s webpage. I am a constant user of social media and will be able to assist the branch in moving forward through
technology.
My education and experience will also benefit the chapter. I am a Criminal Justice graduate from Tennessee State
University (an HBCU), and a Master’s degree in International Relations. I founded and am CEO of Veteran Career
Counseling Services, assisting nearly 700 transitioning veterans in finding employment over the past four years.
Advocating for civil rights and fighting for the needs of the voiceless is my passion. I started and currently chair the
Herndon High School Diversity Committee. I served as vice president of the Prince William County Christian Cooperative
Council of Ministries, comprised of 20 local churches that serve the homeless and a homeless shelter.
How would your involvement improve the operations and community awareness of the Fairfax County NAACP?
My current work in the Chapter supports the NAACP Game Changers within the County. This is evident in my efforts to
register voters, and conduct youth engagement through both the voter registration campaign and work in my area high
school. One of my first initiatives will be to create an Ad Hoc Community Engagement Standing Committee tasked to
generate a schedule for community outreach and education. Closing the Academic Achievement Gap will be one of my
top priorities. Without additional facilities and funds, the list of children waiting to enter Pre-K programs continues to
grow.
Without a quality education, our children will face many hardships. Another issue is the school-to-prison pipeline. I will
continue the work of the previous President to ensure the role of the School Resource Officer is defined and is not one
of discipline. If elected, I will advocate for larger resources to address: the minority student achievement gap (including
addressing disparity in punishment); the lack of affordable housing; and, ensuring the justice system’s policies and
practices recognize our concerns. I will also broaden the chapter’s agenda to implement the Game Changers through
three main lines of effort:
o
o
Raising Awareness. Educating the general public and public officials through creative means (e.g., technology, social
media) and new, dynamic, programming and outreach in these areas.
Challenging Norms. Public officials must be aware of our presence and we must pressure them, positively, to
consider the Game Changers when crafting policies.
o
Ensuring Accountability. Hold public officials accountable for meeting the needs of the constituency. One specific
way would be through an annual grading system measuring the performance of elected and appointed officials
against the NAACP’s Game Changers.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about yourself?
One of my main motivations for running for president was to reduce the internal tension so the branch could focus more
on the mission. Therefore, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that my opponent happens to be the primary source
of the tension especially during meetings where he consistently shows a lack of restraint, tact, and respect for
leadership. One of my many lessons learned from as an officer in the Army is that good followers usually make the best
leaders; and my opponent’s inability to follow should serve as a red flag. Yes, I’ve only been a member of the
organization for a little over a year, so I cannot claim to have more years of experience as a member of the NAACP than
my opponent but what I can demonstrate is that I’ve made a more positive contribution to the organization in my one
year than he has in his four plus years, and I’ve gained the trust of the current active leadership through my actions and
demeanor. Unlike my opponent, I have the full endorsement of virtually EVERY current member of the Executive
Committee to ensure a seamless transition to the new Administration. This should speak volumes if you are an
undecided voter.
I have worked very closely with the current President and have become more knowledgeable of issues she was working
to improve the quality of life for minorities in Fairfax. I have been endorsed by President Ginwright. Her specific
statement follows:
“Kofi is an impressive young man. One of the things the NAACP needs is younger people to step up into leadership roles.
He did that as soon as he became a member. We had a need and he stepped up to lead. I am impressed with how
passionate he is about voter registration, the issues around closing the academic achievement gap and the Renaming of
JEB Stuart High School initiative. He is the father of two young men. With all that he does, he realizes the need to be
engaged and teach them about their culture and get them involved. Earlier in the summer Kofi and his family
participated in an official African naming ceremony. Kofi asked questions to learn more and do more. That is what the
branch needs, someone with a “will do, can do” attitude. Someone who is an advocate and doesn’t mind fighting for the
improvement of education and reforming the criminal justice system. Fighting for those whose voice is unheard. The
branch cannot go wrong with Kofi Annan as its next president.”