Oklahoma NAACP chapter to honor activists at conference
BY MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE INFORMATION SERVICES
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Published: November 4, 2009
MUSKOGEE — About 300 people from across Oklahoma are expected at the 77th annual NAACP state conference on Friday and Saturday at the Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee.
The theme of this year’s conference, "NAACP 100 Years: Bold Dreams — Big Victories!” fits the Oklahoma chapter well, state
President Anthony R. Douglas said in a letter to supporters.
Douglas said, "This year being the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP, it is therefore noteworthy that some of the oldest branches in the association are part of Oklahoma’s great history.”
The convention will feature workshops on voter empowerment and economic development, said conference co-chairman Shelia Crutcher of Muskogee. A community gathering and memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Old Agency Baptist Church with
Larry H. Smith of
Macedonia Baptist Church officiating.
Smokehouse Bob’s owner
Robert Newton and former educator and state
Rep. Barbara Staggs will be honored with
NAACP Image Awards.
"Newton is a longtime business owner who started out selling vegetables and fresh fish,” said
Derrick Reed, Muskogee NAACP president. He said Newton has been active in the community.
Newton opened a fruit and vegetable stand in Muskogee in 1967. He opened his current business in 1988. Newton won Businessman of the year from Alpha Lambda Zeta.
Newton has also worked with the Muskogee Juneteenth Historical Foundation, he said.
Reed said Staggs is "a longtime fighter for black causes. When she was chairman of the
Democratic Party, she got members to get involved with the NAACP.”
Staggs said she’s pleased about the award.
"I came from a background in which people are people, and that’s all there is to it,” she said.
For more information, call 722-6100.
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