DeKalb County Branch NAACP History compiled by Ricky McElroy

The DeKalb County Branch of the NAACP was established in 1955, starting with a meeting at Lilly Hill Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. On May 19, 1955, the branch was officially recognized as an active unit within the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). At that time, the organization was often referred to as “the movement,” as openly associating with the NAACP could cost individuals their jobs or even their lives. The branch was founded during a period of significant racial tension, with Governor Marvin Griffin, a staunch segregationist, serving his first year as Georgia’s governor and Dwight D. Eisenhower as the President of the United States. In that same year, the brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi and Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, were pivotal events that fueled the growing civil rights movement.

John H. Shanks Sr. was elected as the first president of the DeKalb County Branch, a position he held for 11 years until 1966. He was also a founding member alongside Rosetta Williams and others. Their leadership laid a strong foundation for an active and engaged branch in the DeKalb County community. Since its inception, the branch has been a fierce advocate against racism, both locally and nationally. Beyond his work with the NAACP, Shanks also co-founded the Boy Scouts of Decatur, where he mentored young men and served as a role model.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the branch was heavily involved in the civil rights movement, participating in protests and registering Black residents to vote. In October 1960, the branch’s leadership was present with Coretta Scott King and other civil rights leaders when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was released from a state prison in Reidsville, Georgia. Dr. King had been arrested for participating in a lunch counter sit-in in Atlanta and was sentenced to prison for a prior case in DeKalb County. In 1961, baseball legend Jackie Robinson was invited by the branch to promote voter registration. Hundreds gathered at Thankful Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur to hear Robinson, a trailblazer in Major League Baseball and a civil rights icon, deliver the keynote address. The DeKalb County NAACP was on the frontlines during the civil rights era, contributing to the eventual passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which brought significant progress and hope to the community.

By the early 1980s, racial tensions in the DeKalb County school system had reached a peak. The branch took on issues affecting Black students, working tirelessly to ensure educational equality. In 1983, a federal judge ordered the DeKalb County School Board to admit more Black students to Lakeside High School, ending a legal battle between the branch and the school board. Education has always been a central focus for the NAACP, and the DeKalb County Branch was no exception.

During this period, Coleman Stewart served as the branch president and was credited with revitalizing the branch, which had become dormant. Under his leadership, the branch saw significant developments that benefited both the organization and the community.

In 1987, Patricia C. Jones was elected as the branch’s first female president, serving for six years. Under her leadership, the branch was recognized as one of the top-tier NAACP units in the nation. By 1987, the branch launched a membership drive to increase active membership.  The goal was to move from 600 to 2,000. By 1992, the branch had grown to roughly 1,700 members, making it the largest unit in Georgia. The annual Freedom Fund Banquet also saw significant growth, with over 1,000 guests, including elected officials and prominent civil rights leaders, attending. During this time, the branch initiated several self-help projects for youth, addressing issues such as Black-on-Black crime, teen pregnancy, and suicide, which helped revitalize the branch and benefit the community.

Entering the 21st century, the DeKalb County NAACP renewed its focus on civil rights issues, tackling systemic inequalities with innovative ideas and a fresh perspective. The branch continued to engage in civil rights activism, introducing new approaches to long-standing issues.

Over its 69-year history, the DeKalb County Branch has had 19 presidents. Notably, Patricia C. Jones was the first female president, and John Evans was the longest-serving president, holding the position for a total of 16 years. Evans also made history as the first Black County Commissioner for DeKalb County in 1983.

When John Evans retired in 2016, Teresa Hardy, who had previously served as first vice president, assumed the presidency. A visionary leader, Hardy believed that you must “be the change you wish to see in the community.” As a passionate activist, she led numerous marches and protests to raise awareness of issues like police brutality.  In 2020, under Hardy’s leadership, the branch installed three historical markers dedicated to the remembrance of those African Americans that were lynched by racial terror in the County between 1877 and 1950. The markers were placed in front of DeKalb County City Hall; a Kelly Park, near corner of Max Cleland and Main Streets in Lithonia, GA; and the Druid Hills Marker was placed in Linwood Park, near corner of Ponce de Leon and Oakdale in Atlanta, GA. 

In 2022, Lance Hammonds became branch president. During his tenure, the DeKalb County public school system experienced a rapid turnover of superintendents. The branch, under Hammonds’ guidance, held the school board accountable for finding a qualified and stable superintendent, a goal realized with the appointment of Dr. Devon Horton in April 2023. Hammonds resigned as branch president in July 2023 to run for DeKalb County District 4 commissioner.

Following Hammonds’ resignation, Edwina Clanton ascended to the presidency. Since then, the branch has experienced membership growth, and Clanton has actively promoted self-education on voting and political matters among members. Despite financial challenges due to inflation, donations under Clanton’s leadership have kept the branch afloat. She continues to lead with excellence and grace.

The NAACP’s DeKalb County Branch remains steadfast in its commitment to justice, equality, and social change. It continues to be a beacon of hope and a source of empowerment and inspiration within the community. The branch’s members are dedicated to being agents of change and upholding their role as community leaders.