A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

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 I am Esther Matthews, and I am pleased to serve you as the President of the St Petersburg Branch NAACP - 5130.  

We are living in times that will challenge us all, and the NAACP is here to lead the charge for justice and equality in America. I believe it is time for us to work together from the ground to the top to truly have a better community.  

We must ENACT change – BUILD bridges – and UNITE each person in our community! My priority has been and continues to be: 

Re-Energize – The Branch and The Community Re-Claim – The Respect of The Community 

Re-Cruit – Powerful Leaders in our Community  

Passion/Platform ~ Promoting IMPACT and CHANGE through Collaboration. 

~Appealing for NAACP membership to create a true “One Community” mindset 

~ The need for “True” Workforce Housing 

~ The encouragement of the Faith-based community to wrap their arms around families in need in the community 

~ The encouragement of the school system to implement evidence-based social emotional learning curriculum 

~ The need of community support for literacy -Only 27.1% of Black students testing at reading proficiency; despite 81.3% graduation rate 

~ Creating a spirit of Prevention-vs-Punishment with our city’s law enforcement agency’s  

I am an approachable leader who will continue to be engaged in our community.  We know that it takes a team to truly make a difference, so please join the NAACP St. Petersburg Branch – because TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

In Peace,

Esther Matthews, MSW, MLC
President