The St. Louis County NAACP celebrated the grand opening of its new office in Normandy with a ribbon cutting ceremony and community barbeque on June 30. It’s the first time in 75 years that the branch will operate from a central location.
“We were a branch without a home,” said Esther Haywood, president of the St. Louis County NAACP. “Our new office location will allow us to physically assist St. Louis County with the civil rights and social justice issues of today.”
Branch members said they are now better suited to serve the citizens of St. Louis County, in a professional and safe environment. In the past, monthly meetings were conducted at the Natural Bridge Branch of the St. Louis County and in private homes and cars.
That was before branch members inquired about and secured the rental space
directly across the street from the library at 7605 Natural Bridge Rd. The space is small, housing a waiting area, reception office, conference
room and small kitchen.
“It was through the generosity of many corporate partners, private donors and our membership that we were able to take on this epic venture,” Haywood said.
Corporate partners include Emerson, Anheuser-Busch, Edward Jones and Wells Fargo.
“She was really paramount in this effort,” John Gaskin III, chair of the NAACP National Youth Work Committee and member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, said of Haywood. “She was really persistent about wanting to start an office and find the resources to make that happen.”
Municipal elected officials, corporate supporters as well as branch and community members were invited to tour the new space; an estimated 75 to 80 people came out to show their support despite the rain.
Those in attendance included UMSL Chancellor Thomas George, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, Normandy Fire Chief Quinten Randolph and Normandy Mayor Patrick Green.
Gaskin believes the branch is headed in the right direction. The education committee is already in the beginning stages of forming programs for adult literacy and keeping kids in school, which he said is especially needed in that particular area.
Haywood said the NAACP is needed now more than ever.
“As we have recently seen with the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision to strike down a key component of the landmark Voting Rights Act, the NAACP will be needed now more than ever before to protect the rights of those most vulnerable in our nation – people of color,” Haywood said.
The St. Louis County NAACP office, 7605 Natural Bridge Rd., Suite 103, is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 314-389-1552.
