NAACP Elects Youngest Ever Chairperson

BROCK YOUNGEST EVER, FOURTH WOMAN 
TO SERVE AS NAACP BOARD CHAIR

NEW YORK, NY – The NAACP named Roslyn M. Brock as Chair of the Board of Directors at its Annual Board Meeting over the weekend at the New York Hilton. 

Brock, 44, became the youngest ever and fourth woman to serve as Chair of the NAACP’s Board of Directors. A highly qualified candidate, her NAACP resumé boasts more than 25 years of service to the NAACP in many capacities, including as a youth board member, Youth and College State Conference President, board member, and Vice Chair to the Board of Directors. Brock also created the annual NAACP Leadership 500 Summit, and has served as Chair of the Board Convention Planning Committee.

“As the NAACP ushers in a new generation, it is a great honor to be elected Chairman of the Board of this esteemed Association,” said NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. “We are blessed with the opportunity to lead the fight for civil and human rights into another century, and I am honored to help the NAACP issue the clarion call while ensuring the future legacy of this great organization.”

“We’re looking at a generational shift in our communities,” continued Brock. “We have a 48 year old President in the White House, an NAACP President who was 35 at the time of his election, and a 44 year old Board Chair. The wisdom of those who stood the test of time got us to this point, and the youth will lead the future success of our movement.”

She officially announced her candidacy last August after her predecessor Julian Bond declared his retirement from the Chairman position. Bond endorsed Brock’s candidacy, citing her experience in many facets of the Association as well as her youth as assets she will bring to the Chair position.

“The time has come for me to step down as Chairman of the Board and I cannot think of a better person to pass the torch to than Roslyn M. Brock.  Ms. Brock understands first-hand how important youth are to the success of the NAACP. She was introduced to the NAACP 25 years ago when she served the NAACP as a youth board member and Youth and College Division State Conference President.  She represents the next generation of civil rights leaders,” said NAACP Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond.

“I am proud to be standing with Roslyn M. Brock as the new Chairman of the NAACP Board, and I thank Julian Bond for his twelve years of service,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.   “Today we have elected the youngest Chairman in the history of the NAACP.  This historic election, at the beginning of our second century marks a generational shift in the civil and human rights movement. Ms. Brock is fierce advocate for social justice, who is squarely focused on addressing the crises of today and winning the victories of tomorrow.”

In addition to her service with the NAACP, Brock serves as Vice President at Bon Secours Health Care in Marriottsville, MD. She is the chief spokesperson for Bon Secours on government relations, advocacy and public policy. Prior to working at Bon Secours, Brock worked 10 years in health programs at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan.

She graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Union University; earned a master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Theology at Virginia Union University.

“I have enjoyed my time as Chairman of the Board and the people with whom I have worked with over the past decade.  I will continue to treasure this as a singular experience and continue to be active in the NAACP as a member of the National Board of Directors,” concluded Bond.

“There will never be another Julian Bond, and there will never be another Myrlie Evers-Williams. Those of that stature in the civil rights movement have made untold contributions, sacrificed and invested in us, and it is up to us to take it the rest of the way,” concluded Brock. “We need to lead and leave it better than we found it…that’s the huge challenge.”

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

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