Gone are the fiery days of civil rights' protests, but the oldest civil rights organization in the country is recruiting new activists - college students.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced plans Saturday to begin a new outreach campaign that would increase the number of NAACP chapters at colleges and universities.
The organization, which has been plagued for years by financial difficulties and waning membership, wants to expand its support base of young people by reaching out to disenchanted youth. At the group's 88th annual meeting in New York City, President Kweisi Mfume announced plans to establish a minimum of 200 college NAACP chapters.
Representatives of the coalition said the campaign is just one aspect of a complete overhaul taking place at NAACP headquarters.
"It's needed because the NAACP is in the process of undergoing a complete makeover," said James Bryant, National Youth and College Director of the NAACP. "A lot of young people ... feel (the) NAACP has been out of step with so called 'generation X.'
"If we don't train the young people to be a part of today, then the NAACP will be nonexistent in the years to come."
The cornerstone of the new youth initiative will be a 10-city tour, aimed at increasing youth membership and encouraging high school and college students to practice non-violence and stay in school. The tour will kick off in Washington D.C., in August and will end in Baltimore. Bryant said Detroit is tentatively on the list as a stop.
Loren McGhee, president of the University's NAACP chapter, said Mfume's plan is a welcomed announcement.
"I think his whole idea is on track, and I applaud his efforts," McGhee said. "And certainly, if he comes here we'd like to be part of his efforts."
LSA junior and NAACP member Tinika Bell said NAACP officials should consider the benefits of visiting the University.
"I know a lot of people really don't want to get involved (in the NAACP) because they really don't know what it's about," Bell said. "If someone from a larger chapter came to the University, that would clear up questions people have about the whole NAACP group."
Some students said the NAACP should clarify its mission and goals regarding young people.
"I think it's a step," said LSA senior Omari Bayi. "I don't think a lot of young people are involved. I don't even see what they're doing.
"Sure enough, it is a positive step, but if there is no agenda, then what's the use?"
To help universities set up new affiliations with the NAACP, Bryant said representatives will meet with students at both largely white universities and historically black institutions to gauge each school's needs.
McGhee said the University's NAACP chapter, which was restarted two years ago, currently has around 70 members. The group was first formed in the 1950s.
"We have a pretty diverse chapter and they're pretty supportive," McGhee said.
In 1995, after McGhee helped re-charter the organization, the group had about 50 members.
NAACP officials in Detroit said they are waiting for the rest of the cities on the 10-city tour to be announced. Detroit boasts the largest membership of any NAACP branch in the country.
"We certainly hope (Detroit is) one of the cities," said Llenda Jackson-Leslie, director for media marketing and youth services in Detroit.
WARREN ZINN/Daily
University NAACP President Loren McGhee said she is pleased with NAACP President Kweisi Mfume's efforts to reach out to students.