New Springfield NAACP President Talbert W. Swan II seeks branch resurgence

SPRINGFIELD – The Rev. Talbert W. Swan II, the newly elected president of the Springfield branch of the NAACP, said Thursday he anticipates a resurgence in the branch and expanded efforts to fight for improved education, health and social justice for communities of color. The election of Swan, pastor of the Spring Hope Church of God in Christ, was the first contested presidential election in more than a decade for the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Swan received 77 percent of the ballots cast to win over Charles Stokes, a community activist and former City Council candidate.

Swan, a civil rights and community activist, said it is “no secret” that the branch has not been as active in past years as it should be, and was dormant for some time before 2009. The branch was founded in 1918. “I think it is going to be a challenge both with revitalizing the branch and making it a viable entity in the community, and also addressing the pertinent issues of concerns for the constituents,” Swan said. Swan said the top issues in his view include: education, including the high rate of children dropping out of school and failing to meet certain minimum educational standards; health disparities for communities of color, including higher rates of certain illnesses and premature death; and social justice issues.

“Discrimination in all facets of society is still alive and well,” Swan said. “The branch will be actively engaged in addressing those concerns.” Swan and all officers were elected for a two-year term. “I’m grateful for the overwhelming confidence placed in my leadership by members of the Springfield branch,” said Swan, who ran unsuccessfully for the post in 1996 against former president Darnell Williams. Juan M. Cofield, president of the New England Area Conference of the NAACP, said he was very pleased by a large turnout and interest in the Springfield election. “What that demonstrated to me is there is a lot of interest by the Springfield community in the NAACP,” Cofield said. “I have known Talbert a good while, and have seen him as a strong advocate in the community,” Cofield said. “I think he will make an exceptional president.” Cofield said he is confident the newly elected officers “will work toward fairness, equality and justice.” The prior president, Van Johnson, did not seek re-election.


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