Nashville NAACP Wants 5,000 New Members

The Nashville chapter of the NAACP wants to add 5000 members to its rolls as part of celebrating the organization’s 100th birthday this year.

The local chapter is 90 years old. President Marilyn Robinson says records show membership peaked at roughly 2500. Right now, she says the NAACP claims 2000 dues-paying members in Nashville. But she says many more share the organization’s goal to promote racial tolerance and equality.

“We have friends and family and people that believe in our mission, but sometimes you just have to ask and make an appeal.”

Robinson says the Nashville chapter will focus this year on holding the Metro school board accountable to its pledge of additional funding to high-minority schools.

As part of the membership push, the NAACP is making it possible for employees at Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University to pay dues through payroll deductions.

With the extra money, the chapter wants to hire full-time paid staff. The chapter also has fundraising events planned throughout the year with a goal of $1 million for a building campaign.