Annual Freedom Fund - "The Mass Meeting"

You are invited to “THE MASS MEETING”: The BLACK CHURCH: A PLACE OF REFUGE, HOPE AND ADVOCACY

WHAT IS AN NAACP MASS MEETING?

An NAACP mass meeting is a large, public gathering, often held by the local branch in a church or at state or national convention. They serve as a powerful community forum for sharing news, strategizing civil rights actions, mobilizing voters, discussing urgent social issues and strengthening solidarity against racism and injustice. They also feature speeches, performances, and calls for collective power and advocacy.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT NAACP MASS MEETINGS OF THE PAST?
Mass Meetings were vibrant events that combined ACTIVISM, EDUCATION and COMMUNITY BUILDING. The Mass Meeting was where the NAACP rallied its members and the broader community to empower themselves and to demand racial justice and equality. They focused on sharing information and updates; and promoting mobilization, advocacy, and community building. They also featured various speakers who engaged the community in the unveiling of a Strategic or Long Term Plan.

Equally as important, THE BLACK CHURCH was at the helm of these discussions and meetings. As you already know, the BLACK CHURCH played a crucial role in NAACP’s history, serving as a spiritual and logistical center during the Civil Rights Movement and a place that provided refuge, unity, and strength to our community during a time of racial oppression. The church was a hub for education, political action, and social organization and histed strategy meetings, rallies, and community education sessions that mobilized mass meetings and coordinated civil rights efforts.