The original charter establishing the Cabarrus County Chapter of the NAACP occurred in 1935. Most of the travails of that earliest launching have been lost, but in 1949 a new charter was established through the efforts of the late Rev. J.H.C. Blue, pastor of Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. A galvanizing issue that rallied the support of “colored people” at this time, was the wrongful imprisonment of a man named “Albert”, accused of the killing of a white woman. Through the efforts of black attorneys out of Charlotte, Julius Chamber’s office, Albert was found “not guilty” after serving 2-3 years in prison, and the woman’s husband was implicated and ultimately found guilty of the crime.
The Ministerial Alliance played a critical role during these challenging times, providing leadership, encouragement, and direction, amidst a climate of fear and racism. Reverends Eural Brown, L.R. Williams, and S.R. Lomax showed the way, rallying people’s spirits in the way that only ministers can.
Others whose voices could be heard and who were willing to risk white public backlash for their NAACP involvement included John “Ivey” Young, a “freedom fighter” who actually lost his job at Cannon Mills because of his NAACP work. The late Dr. Jerome Gresham, former President of Barber-Scotia College who brought the college and community together on several important fronts, such as housing renovations: Dr. Michael Dubisette, a respected physician and supporter, and Julius Chambers attorney in Charlotte were also among the “freedom fighters” of early years.
Among the significant and memorable leaders of the organization during the 70’s and 80’s, was former President Betty Eddleman, deceased; a former teacher and school board member guided the NAACP through some turbulent times in an openly hostile and threatening environment. Several “marches” were formulated to protest the injustices of the times. “People were more together then,” was stated by Mr. Clyde Thompson, “you could count on them.” The late Mr. Clyde Thompson was the only still active charter member from those early times. Mr. Thompson carried the torch until his passing away in December, 2010 he served on the executive committee of the Cabarrus County NAACP.
Throughout the period, support for the NAACP waxed and waned in response to African American outcries over social injustices or overt acts of racism. The wrongful death of a young man while in police custody was following his arrest and mace spraying sparked strong public protest that mobilized a cross-section of the community to push for better communications between law enforcement and the black community.
In recent times the names of Rev. S.R. Lomax, Rev. G.K. Moss, Rev. Clary Phelps, William Morrison, Rev. Harold Robinson, Rev. Wayne B. Murdock, James McManus, Ira Palmer, Doris M. Peay, deceased, and recently in 2007, Amos L. McClorey were added to the roles of those willing and able to serve, lead, and advance the vital work of this movement at the grass roots level; the greatest civil rights organization in the nation – – The NAACP.
During his tenure, our current president, Mr. Amos McClorey has come on board from the corporate world and has revitalized the Cabarrus County Branch of NAACP. McClorey has successfully increased the branch activity and involvement with the North Carolina State Conference of Branches by participating in “HK on J” movements and marches, launching a website for the local branch in 2009, elevating the local branch in 2009 by hosting the 2010 State Convention in Cabarrus County and by establishing a branch membership with the Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce in 2011.
The Ministerial Alliance played a critical role during these challenging times, providing leadership, encouragement, and direction, amidst a climate of fear and racism. Reverends Eural Brown, L.R. Williams, and S.R. Lomax showed the way, rallying people’s spirits in the way that only ministers can.
Others whose voices could be heard and who were willing to risk white public backlash for their NAACP involvement included John “Ivey” Young, a “freedom fighter” who actually lost his job at Cannon Mills because of his NAACP work. The late Dr. Jerome Gresham, former President of Barber-Scotia College who brought the college and community together on several important fronts, such as housing renovations: Dr. Michael Dubisette, a respected physician and supporter, and Julius Chambers attorney in Charlotte were also among the “freedom fighters” of early years.
Among the significant and memorable leaders of the organization during the 70’s and 80’s, was former President Betty Eddleman, deceased; a former teacher and school board member guided the NAACP through some turbulent times in an openly hostile and threatening environment. Several “marches” were formulated to protest the injustices of the times. “People were more together then,” was stated by Mr. Clyde Thompson, “you could count on them.” The late Mr. Clyde Thompson was the only still active charter member from those early times. Mr. Thompson carried the torch until his passing away in December, 2010 he served on the executive committee of the Cabarrus County NAACP.
Throughout the period, support for the NAACP waxed and waned in response to African American outcries over social injustices or overt acts of racism. The wrongful death of a young man while in police custody was following his arrest and mace spraying sparked strong public protest that mobilized a cross-section of the community to push for better communications between law enforcement and the black community.
In recent times the names of Rev. S.R. Lomax, Rev. G.K. Moss, Rev. Clary Phelps, William Morrison, Rev. Harold Robinson, Rev. Wayne B. Murdock, James McManus, Ira Palmer, Doris M. Peay, deceased, and recently in 2007, Amos L. McClorey were added to the roles of those willing and able to serve, lead, and advance the vital work of this movement at the grass roots level; the greatest civil rights organization in the nation – – The NAACP.
During his tenure, our current president, Mr. Amos McClorey has come on board from the corporate world and has revitalized the Cabarrus County Branch of NAACP. McClorey has successfully increased the branch activity and involvement with the North Carolina State Conference of Branches by participating in “HK on J” movements and marches, launching a website for the local branch in 2009, elevating the local branch in 2009 by hosting the 2010 State Convention in Cabarrus County and by establishing a branch membership with the Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce in 2011.