Scot X. Esdaile, the president of the Connecticut branch of the NAACP was among the community leaders at a “meet and greet” session Saturday on East Main Street.
The event was organized by the Ansonia chapter of the NAACP and was held at Michele’s Alterations and Design Elements.
The local NAACP is about 100 people strong. Membership doubled in 2009, thanks to an increased interested in the NAACP’s Youth Council in Ansonia.
Greg Johnson, president of the Ansonia chapter, said he hopes to add another 100 members in 2010.
“My goal is to continue to fight injustice for men, women, and children in the Valley,” Johnson said. “I am also planning to build membership, build the youth council and continue to be the watchdog for the under-served and underprivileged in the Valley.”
Johnson said he wants to work with local political leaders to ensure equal opportunities for minorities.
“I will also work closely with public officials for more minority representation on our boards and in our school system and in our municipalities,” Johnson said.
Saturday’s “meet and greet” was the first for the local NAACP. It was designed to get the word out about the group.
Esdaile said he was happy to help the Ansonia NAACP.
“I am excited that each unit has a membership goal and the Ansonia branch has met their goal,” Esdaile said. “I want to continue to support them to help increase membership.”
The NAACP has two main priorities on the state level, Esdaile said — health care and criminal justice reform.
According to Esdaile, Connecticut has the largest gap in health care between the wealthiest and poorest Connecticut residents. He also said that in the Connecticut criminal justice system, some 76 percent of prison inmates are black and Hispanic.
The reception was also an opportunity for the group to promote the 2nd Annual Great Debate sponsored by the Connecticut NAACP and being held at Yale University. The debates will be between Yale University and Howard University and between Hampton University and Columbia University.
For more information on the debate, call 203 – 562-5666 or click here.