Past. Present. Future.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is one of the oldest and most prominent civil rights organizations in the United States. It was founded on February 12, 1909, in response to racial violence and discrimination against African Americans, particularly the 1908 Springfield race riot in Illinois. The organization was established by a group of activists, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Mary White Ovington, and others.

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The primary mission of the NAACP is to advocate for the civil rights and equality of African Americans and other marginalized communities. Over the years, the NAACP has played a pivotal role in addressing various forms of racial injustice, including segregation, voting rights discrimination, police brutality, and economic inequality.

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While the organization's name specifically mentions the advancement of colored people, the NAACP has expanded its mission to advocate for the rights of all marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.