She sat in her office last week and spoke with the News-Sun about why the local organization will be a critical force in helping combat social and criminal issues facing the community.
“I was asked to join the Criminal Justice Board here in Springfield and attended my first meeting in November. The NAACP is still going to be on fire to combat the drugs, killings and everything else that comes across our desk.”
The NAACP will be working to build a positive relationship with Clark County sheriff-elect Republican Deb Burchett who defeated 30-year incumbent Sheriff Gene Kelly, a Democrat, in November.
“It was a huge surprise that he lost and I am a little sad about it because we really accomplished a lot,” Williams said. “When we first met it wasn’t pleasant but we grew from that and we have built a great relationship. I was up all night watching the election and I texted him at 1 a.m. and told him: ‘Listen we have established a great working relationship and a friendship and I am not going to let that go away.’”
She added that, “we have a new sheriff starting out and now there is a chance to gain on the momentum we had with the outgoing sheriff. She (Burchett) has expressed that we want to keep that momentum going. We accomplished a big goal with Sheriff Kelly and the police and that was to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.”
Part of that momentum involves collaborating with any and all partners willing to forge a path to peace and prosperity for those in underserved communities .
“After the first of the year, I plan on putting together a Criminal Response Team. What that team will do – should we have an emergency in our community - is that I will be able to call that special team together and we can collaborate on how to address the problem. If there is an emergency like what happened in Baltimore, this team will be made up of community leaders to address these problems,” Williams explained.
It is also time to make sure that all groups and demographics work together and the NAACP is planning several 2017 events involving the Hispanic, LGBTQ and other underserved communities, Williams said.
Her stump speech for the agency and for what she can do to make things happens is very simple.
“I think sometimes people in the community think the the NAACP is just a club,” Williams said. “That is not true - this is an organization that is governed by rules and bylaws. This is a serious organization. I am held accountable by the national organization. I am held responsible for what this chapter does.”
That includes making sure the organization is fiscally sound.
The Freedom Fund banquet, an annual fundraiser, has helped put finances in the organization's coffers, but more donors are needed to help keep the local NAACP afloat, Williams said
“We did make money this year, but the expenses involved with putting on the banquet cut into what we end up making,” she said. “We are growing and we are covering areas like Xenia, Fairborn, Urbana, Bellefontaine and Yellow Springs. We need to grow volunteers and staff. We also need to get more money coming in.”
James Elder has been part of Williams’ staff for the past year. He said it is the quality of her leadership that keeps him in the office and working for change.
“I think that she has the ability and desire to get things done,” he explained. “She has what it takes to be a leader.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to help the NAACP can contact Security National Bank’s South Limestone Street branch at 937-324-6800.
At a glance
NAACP Springfield Chapter
Location: 300 E. Auburn Ave., Suite 229.
Hours of operation: The office will be open from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The office phone number is 937-521-2650. The group can also be reached on Facebook by searching NAACP Springfield Ohio.
President: Denise Williams is preparing to serve her third term.
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