COPPELL, TEXAS — Texas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President and Attorney Gary Bledsoe was the guest speaker Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, at the newly formed DFW Metro NAACP unit’s Zoom event. Bledsoe opened his remarks by recognizing the newest Texas unit: “I wanted to welcome you guys aboard and to say that I am absolutely enthused that you’re here.” Gary also praised the community work DFW Metro has already started. “You are doing the kinds of things we need the NAACP to do. We are a great and diverse group that look at the world in the appropriate way… We look forward to you … being a full-fledged unit doing great work, even greater work than what you’re doing now,” he said.
The inaugural meeting was well attended by the local unit members, and it also attracted the following local and Texas-wide officials:
- Judge Victor Landers
- Dr. Gwen Morrison – Tarrant County Community College Trustee Board Member
- Kristen Washington – Greenville Place 3 Councilwoman
- Reverend Lynn Harper – Community Missionary Baptist Church of Desoto
- Attorney Delia Parker-Mims
- Paige Dixon – Lewisville Independent School Board Place 1 Candidate
- Attorney Jesse Gaines
- Sherley Spears- President, San Angelo NAACP
The new DFW Metro NAACP unit is led by Coppell resident Minister Crystal Bates. Bates, who has been the driving force in creating this unit, addressed the newly admitted members: “Congratulations! We all did it! So thankful to be able to serve this community with such a wonderful group of people! You all rock!”
Minister Crystal Bates also provided this statement, “In the midst of so much civil unrest around the country, it was important for us to be proactive in hopes of building relationships in our community to prevent such events from happening here. This was a proactive effort to allow us to establish a NAACP presence in our community and build relationships and a culture of serving the community through our volunteer efforts, and more.”
Other notable welcoming quotes:
Texas NAACP 2nd VP and Arlington NAACP President Alisa L. Simmons –
“I want to welcome you to your own unit and to tell you to get ready for all of the work that must be accomplished in your community, as well as the Dallas-Fort Worth area. … We are ready to help you. … Whatever you do, do it fearlessly, do it professionally.”
District 3 Council Member & Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas Casey Thomas, II – “I just want to offer you support and congratulations and encouragement and you know I’m only a text away and I encourage you and others who are on this journey.”
The DFW Metro NAACP Branch unit #6305 includes Coppell, Carrollton, Lewisville, Flower Mound and Grapevine. DFW Metro NAACP Zoom meetings are held monthly.
The NAACP is the largest and most preeminent civil rights organization in the nation.
The Texas NAACP Conference is scheduled for Jan. 7, 8 and 9.
For more information or to sign up, contact DFW Metro NAACP Branch, Unit #6305 on Facebook @ shorturl.at/ct046, via email at dfwmetro2020@gmail.com or at NAACP.org.
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