The NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard celebrated another year of service and advocacy on Martin Luther King, Jr. day, with a luncheon and workshop to map out the future of the Island chapter. More than 60 members and guests attended a luncheon at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs.
Among the highlights of the brief program was an outstanding achievement award given to Tisbury School fifth-grader Nikeya Tankard, who was honored for raising more than $1,000 for the Red Stocking Fund this year. The Red Stocking Fund provides gifts and food for families in need at holiday time on Martha’s Vineyard. The non-profit organization is one of several causes she has adopted.
“I sold all hand-made bracelets,” Ms. Tankard said. She wove the colorful fabric bracelets and marketed them at several retail outlets on Martha’s Vineyard to raise funds. And how does a fifth-grader learn how to set up a successful manufacturing and marketing operation? How else: “I looked on YouTube,” she said.
Instead of the usual format of a guest speaker, the NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard made the annual luncheon a membership drive and workshop. Following a lunch of ribs, slaw and cornbread organized by secretary Colleen Morris and prepared by executive board member Leon Brathwaite, each of the seated groups was assigned a facilitator and tasked with a specific issue.
“It’s very, very important that we hear from you, what it is you want this chapter to do,” said executive board member Gretchen Tucker Underwood.
The final business of the holiday celebration was a call for new members from NAACP president Erik Blake.
“Our meetings are always fun,” he said, while appealing to younger Island residents to take leadership roles in the organization.
The NAACP meets next on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Oak Bluffs Council of Aging on Wamsutta Aaenue. The general membership meeting begins at 11 a.m.
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