The Atlanta branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is a chapter of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, founded in 1909. The branch describes itself as “the home of grassroots activism for civil rights and social justice” in Atlanta, focusing on advocacy, community programs, and legal support for affected residents.
Branch leadership as of August 1, 2023, is held by President Gerald A. Griggs, an Atlanta attorney who simultaneously holds the position of Georgia State Conference President, making him the first person in Georgia NAACP history to hold both roles concurrently. The branch operates 16 active committees covering communications, education, health, housing, labor, political action, and related areas.
Active programs include ACT-SO, an academic competition program for high school students; Legal Redress, which assists members in pursuing civil rights complaints through the legal system; and Voter Registration and Mobilization, which coordinates efforts to expand voter participation. The organization also runs a Young Adult Committee for members aged 21 to 40 and Women in the NAACP (WIN), addressing issues facing women and children in the community.
Historical milestones cited on the site include involvement in Brown v. Board of Education, participation in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and contributing to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Atlanta branch invites community members to volunteer in areas including employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and criminal defense support.
Membership and donations are available through naacpatlanta.com. The branch also accepts sponsorships to expand programming. Contact: (404) 524-0580.