FOURTH ANNUAL “HK ON J” TO FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, IMPROVEMENTS IN EDUCATION, ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AND JOB CREATION

RALEIGH, NC – In a call for improvements in education, the economy and job creation, on February 13, the North Carolina NAACP State Conference will lead the Fourth Annual “Historic Thousands on 

“The NAACP’s continued battle for good jobs, good schools and a better tomorrow stems from the fact that the lack of these resources is often the barrier depriving our children of a legitimate opportunity to succeed,” said Jealous. “We must continue to hold local, state, and federal government accountable for providing adequate jobs, educational resources, affordable health care, and safe communities – all of which are fundamental aspects of human rights.”

The North Carolina NAACP State Conference has challenged the recent re-segregation of public schools in the Raleigh area.  According to NC NAACP State President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, the re-organization of the school districts by “neighborhood schools” was a calculated move on the part of national and local politicians, who seek to divide Blacks and Whites in the South who have united to advocate for common causes – particularly education, jobs, and health care.

“The segregation of schools by socioeconomic status inevitably undermines our goal of high-quality experienced teachers for all students,” said Barber. “By reducing the interaction between working-class Blacks and Whites, the re-segregation of schools stands to curtail the progress made by these groups to band together and focus on commonalities which affect all North Carolinians.”

The North Carolina State Conference will also report on the Coalition's request for Gov. Bev Perdue to sponsor a grassroots N.C Jobs Summit and call a Special Emergency Session of the General Assembly on Jobs and the Implementation of the Economic Stimulus Recovery Funds. 

“We all need to hear first-hand the cries of hunger and hopelessness we hear every day,” Barber told Gov. Perdue.  “We must work together to address the issues of poverty, unlivable wages, and unemployment.  Over 20% of African-Americans in N.C. are unemployed and need jobs today.”

To find out more information about the HK on J People’s Assembly, please visit www.hkonj.com or www.naacpnc.org.

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.