ABOUT NAACP CLEVELAND
The Cleveland Branch of the NAACP is a grassroots civil rights organization committed to protecting rights, expanding opportunity, and building a more just Cleveland through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
Our Mission
The mission of the NAACP Cleveland Branch is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all people while actively working to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination within Greater Cleveland. Grounded in the national mission of the NAACP, the Cleveland Branch advances justice through grassroots advocacy, civic engagement, education, and community partnership.
By amplifying local voices, addressing systemic inequities, and holding institutions accountable, the Cleveland NAACP remains committed to protecting civil rights and expanding opportunity for current and future generations across our city.
Our Vision
The vision of the NAACP Cleveland Branch is a just, inclusive, and equitable Cleveland where every individual—regardless of race or background—has equal access to opportunity, safety, and prosperity. We envision a community free from racial hatred and discrimination, where policies, systems, and institutions reflect fairness, dignity, and respect for all.
Through sustained advocacy, informed leadership, and collective action, the Cleveland NAACP strives to help build a city where equity is not aspirational, but realized in everyday life.
Our History
The Cleveland Branch was established in 1912 with the goal of improving the political, educational, social, and economic status of minority groups; to eliminate racial prejudice; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; and to take lawful action to secure its elimination, consistent with the efforts of the national organization and in conformity with the Articles of Incorporation of the Association, its Constitution and ByLaws and as directed by the National Board of Directors.
Over the years, the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP has helped those in the community who are without any other means of assistance through a variety of programs and services.
Our Objectives
The following statement of objectives is found on the first page of the NAACP Constitution — the principal objectives of the Association shall be:
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To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens
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To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States
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To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
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To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights
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To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination
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To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.
