February, NAACP units across the nation will host events celebrating Black History Month. Check with your local Branch for scheduled activities.

Bridgeport
Thursday, February 16, 2012 Celebrating Black History Month Marilyn Ford, Professor of Law, Quinnipiac University And Carolyn Vermont, President Bridgeport Branch NAACP Invite you to. A Discussion on The Freedom Riders ...Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT (Burt Kahn Court - Main Campus) more info. click here

Waterbury
Saturday, February 25, 2012 The Greater Waterbury Branch NAACP will hold its Black History Month program at the Mattituck Museum, 144 West Main Street, and Waterbury. Pictures and excerpts from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s newest book: “Life on These Shores”, and a discussion on civil rights issues of today ...more info. click here

Editorial Message
Scot X. Esdaile. president

As the NAACP State Conference President for Connecticut I am responsible for hearing and addressing all types of concerns. In Connecticut far too many of the complaints I hear relate to deprivation of what should be a basic human right for all, the right to breathe clean air. For African American communities, in particular, these rights are being violated. ........

...... Currently, regulations under the Clean Air Act, such as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule which aim to reduce pollution in our air, are under attack by polluters and certain legislative initiatives in Congress aimed at blocking the functionality of the Clean Air Act. These rules are essential for sensible reductions in air pollution. Supporting these rules would save up to 330 lives and will prevent heart attacks, hospitalizations, and ER visits in Connecticut every year. read the entire editorial letter click here


... A must read
NAACP to examine state's redistricting A legal team from the national NAACP will be looking closely at the state's new political maps when it comes to Connecticut next month.

"The whole process of redistricting tried to keep in mind communities of interest particular to urban areas and I think the 22nd and the 23rd are solid and reflect communities of interest," said Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney , D-New Haven, a member of the Reapportionment Commission. read entire ctpost article click here

By Gregory B. Hadley
3:55p.m. EST. December 14, 2011            

CT NAACP considering legal action against state redistricting. The head of the Connecticut NAACP, Scot X. Esdaile calls it “astonishing and heart breaking” that the legislative committee that's deciding on how this state's political boundaries should be redrawn doesn't have a single minority member.

The absence of any African American or Latino lawmaker on the redistricting panel could trigger legal action by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, according to Scott X. Esdaile.

“We don't know yet if we're going to file a lawsuit,” Esdaile said Wednesday as he headed into a meeting with a top Republican legislative leader.

“We're really upset that we were excluded,” added Esdaile, president of this state's NAACP chapter, which has 16 branches throughout Connecticut. read entire article click here.


NBC Connecticut's Keisha Grant Receives NAACP's "Most Influential" Distinction ...NBC Connecticut Anchor Keisha Grant has been named one of the "100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut" by the Connecticut chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)... read more click here



Asian and Black Teens Have Lowest Rates Of Drug Use: Study
By Steve Elliot
Teen Drug And Alcohol Use Lowest Among Blacks, Asians ...Black and Asian adolescents are much less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol than teens of other races, according to a new study.

The survey of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years reveals that in total, 37 percent used alcohol or drugs in the past year, and 7.9 percent met criteria that would identify the teens as having a substance-related disorder.

When separated by race, Native American teens had the highest level of drug use, with nearly 48 percent reporting having used substances in the last year. That group is followed by 39 percent of white teens, almost 37 percent of Hispanics, 36 percent of multi-racial adolescents, 32 percent of blacks and nearly 24 percent of Asians.... read more click here

Scot X. Esdaile, president
January 2, 2012 Swearing in Ceremony

New Jobs Posting: Maintenance Worker, WG-4749-05 National Park Service ($18-$21/hour) for a six-month position. more information see employment opportunity or click here


"Twenty Six, 26" We need the death penalty to be outlawed in 26 states to present our case to the Supreme Court -- that the death penalty is biased and unconstitutional and it needs to be banned in the United States.

Call your state Senator at 860-240-8600 (if your Senator is Democrat) or 860-240-8800 (if your Senator is Republican) and tell them to support anti-death penalty legislation. read entire message click here


Scot X. Esdaile, president of the CT NAACP said he was astounded by the "arrogance" of the New London's representatives at Monday's , Jan. 30, 2012 meeting. Esdaile, New London NAACP president Donald Wilson and NAACP criminal justice chair Tamara Lanier met with city officials about the city's "recruitment, hiring, promotional, and retention practices, in addition to the staggering number of complaints alleging racial profiling," an NAACP press release prior to the meeting said.Esdaile said most of the meeting revolved around Mayo, a black recruit fired from the state fire academy three days before the class's Dec. 22 graduation. New London has not hired a black firefighter since 1978 and was previously under federal directive to diversify the department."They said they couldn't recruit (African-Americans)," Esdaile said ...read more click here

President of Greater New Haven NAACP asks locals to fight 'race baiting' among Republican candidates. NEW HAVEN — James E. Rawlings, president of the Greater New Haven Branch of the NAACP, said he is “appalled by the race baiting and racism being generated, spewed, by many of the Republican candidates competing to be president of our great democracy.”

Rawlings said the branch is equally concerned by the silence on this from many Republicans and even Democrats in Greater New Haven. “If you remain silent, you’re supportive of this kind of racism and hate,” Rawlings said. ...read more click here

EDITORIAL: First Niagara invests in New Haven
Published: Tuesday, January 03, 2012
By Opinion Staff
As part of its April takeover of NewAlliance Bank, First Niagara Financial Group pledged to invest more than $1 billion, largely through low-interest loans, in its new market in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

Its community investments should quell some of the concerns of those opposed to the takeover of New Haven-based NewAlliance by a financial company with its headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y.

First Niagara has begun fulfilling that five-year pledge. In November, it gave $500,000 to the Gateway Community College Foundation for programming and equipment at the college's new downtown campus.

On Dec. 19, it announced a $3 million donation over three years to New Haven's public schools. The money will be used to support Boost! a program that teaches social skills and provides emotional support to students, and a training program for public school teachers at charter schools run by Achievement First.

The bank's largest investment, in partnership with the Greater New Haven chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People, was announced earlier in December. The NAACP will be the referral agent for $1.5 million in no-interest loans to low and moderate-income homebuyers.

The bank will create a $1 million loan program for micro-loans — $1,000 to $25,000 — for companies in low and moderate-income areas. It will also establish a $4.35 million loan program for small businesses.

Finally , the bank is giving the NAACP $150,000 over three years to support its programs. James Rawlings, the NAACP chapter president, had raised community investment concerns with the bank even before its acquisition of NewAlliance.

Rawlings', president NAACP NH , initiative and First Niagara's response deserve the city's thanks. The city's newest bank is building good community roots.

RELATED ARTICLE... The day after a merger between New Alliance bank and Buffalo-based First Niagara was announced, NAACP President James Rawlings paid a visit to see what the lender would do for its new local community. That meeting paid off Thursday, as Rawlings helped hoist a massive check representing an investment of over $7 million in tackling social challenges. read more click here

 

HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel Malloy told members of the state's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that there needs to be a renewed focus on education reform in Connecticut, particularly in urban school districts.

“We will not have equal rights for all in the absence of equal education for all,” Malloy said as the crowd of about 1,000 that attended a luncheon at the organization's statewide convention roared with approval. read more click here



More information about the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut click here