Youth & College

Youth and College

Leadership

Akia S. Callum - Headshot

Akia Callum

President of the CT State Conference Youth & College Division

Akia S. Callum is an avid community organizer, fierce political strategist and social justice advocate who is committed to implementing transformational policies from the ground level. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is a product of the New York City Public School system. With over 8 years of experience in working with & for cross-sector entities, she is committed to advocacy for students of color through the lens of civil rights and education.

The NAACP believes strongly that future leaders must be developed today, and such development is ongoing in the Youth & College Division, created in 1936.

Mission

The mission of the NAACP Youth & College Division shall be to inform youth of the problems affecting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities; to advance the economic, education, social and political status of African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities and their harmonious cooperation with other peoples; to stimulate an appreciation of the African Diaspora and other people of color’s contribution to civilization; and to develop an intelligent, effective youth leadership.

Vision Statement

The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Youth and College Division is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race by developing a New Generation of Civil Rights and Community Leaders.

For over 80 years, the NAACP Youth and College Division has been on of the largest organized groups of young people in any secular organization in the country. This Division has grown to have more than 25.000 young people, under the age of 25 actively involved in the fight for civil rights. The NAACP has over 550 Junior Youth Councils

Youth and College Issues

Students have always been at the forefront of most major social movements. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980’s, student activism has forced society and the world to change. NAACP youth units across America are engaged in social justice activism addressing issues at the local, state and national level. The primary focus issues for the Division are the following:

  • Voting Rights and Political Representation
  • Economic Sustainability
  • Education
  • Health
  • Juvenile Justice
  • VOTE 2020 – Stay tuned for more updates!

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NAACP YOUTH & COLLEGE DIVISION