Springfield Republican, September 24, 2011

SPRINGFIELD – Following the June 28 election that brought new officers into the fold, the Springfield branch of the NAACP is focusing its attention on five key areas to promote its agenda of equality.

At a short press conference before the dedication of the New Macedonia Church of God in Christ, the Rev. Talbert W. Swan II, the newly elected president of the Springfield branch of the NAACP, said the group will be taking a renewed focus on education, health, economic empowerment, political action and social justice advocacy.

Swan said the group will work with city school officials to reduce the dropout rate, improve failing schools, increase parent participation in the education process and recruit black educators.

Among the items on the group’s health agenda are plans to reach out to the community and healthcare organizations to “reduce the disparities in health between the majority community and people of color,” Swan said.

Rev. Talbert W. Swan II, president of the Springfield Branch of the NAACP. (Republican Photo/ Mark M.Murray)

He also said the group plans to work on a community awareness campaign to educate the black community about proper healthcare and to work hand-in-hand with the Food Justice Coalition to increase access to healthy foods.

The issue of youth violence was not lost by Swan, as he said that through a partnership with the city, the local NAACP branch will aim to reduce the root contributors to the violence in the city.

On the political front, Swan said the group will work to educate voters and increase voter turnout while working with elected officials to advocate for issues in the black community, such as increasing economic opportunities.

Swan said the local NAACP branch will “continue to identify, speak about and organize around addressing racial discrimination in its various forms throughout greater Springfield,” by engaging the faith-based community.

In June, Swan won 77 percent of the votes to become president of the Springfield NAACP branch in the group’s first contested election in more than a decade.

The press conference Saturday was followed by a orchestrated dedication of the New Macedonia Church of God in Christ, which was torched by arsonists on Nov. 5, 2008, as a protest of Barack Obama’s election.