The Legacy

The history of the Daytona Beach NAACP is a narrative of intellectual fire and bold activism. While the city is famous for its shoreline, its true legacy lies in the leaders who used this "citadel of hope" to challenge the conscience of a nation.

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National Mission and Founding

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-NAACP’s mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States and eliminate racial prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.

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Local Origins and Leadership

The Daytona Beach Volusia County Branch of the NAACP was chartered in 1934 as the “East Volusia NAACP”; however, little information is documented about its membership. The first NAACP branch president documented for the East Volusia NAACP was George W. Engram, Sr. in 1941. Other branch presidents included:
 

• PH Whitehead

• James Daniels

• Horace Reed

• Charles Cherry, Sr. (2 terms)

• Ben Brown

• Hortense Geter

• William Dunn

• Frances Worthen

• Naomi Cooper

• William Robinson

• Marjorie Johnson (did not complete term)

• Cynthia Slater (current President)

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Civil Rights Victories and Legal Battles

The Volusia County-Daytona Beach Branch have documented many successes including: leading advocate for the city’s underpaid and exploited black workers in the 60s; NAACP challenged then Sheriff Bob Vogel for racial profiling in Volusia County along Interstate 95; the NAACP filed a discrimination lawsuit against the City of Daytona Beach during Black College Reunion (BCR); the FSC NAACP filed lawsuit on behalf of the Daytona Beach NAACP against the Adams Mark hotel in federal court charging the resort with discrimination.

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NAACP National Office called for a National Boycott against Adams Mark; the Adams Mark Hotel settled the lawsuit for $8 million ($1.5 million to 4 Florida HBCUs for scholarships and internships in hotel management (BCC, EWC, FM and FAMU); Original plaintiffs were paid $25,000 each; c. 1,200 guests (undetermined #) paid;

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The local branch protested the death of Zaniyah Hinson, a 2-year-old black child who died after being left in a church van. Represented by a new attorney, Benjamin Crump; FSC NAACP State Convention was held in Daytona Beach; In 2004, the Florida NAACP filed a lawsuit against the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections on behalf of the Daytona Beach NAACP to open early voting sites and won. Resulting in early voting sites countywide. In 2005, Crisis Magazine published an article “FL Voting Rights Succeeds” covering the efforts.

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National Protests and Early Mobilization (2006–2017)

In 2006-branch and college chapter participated in Jena 6 of Louisiana-protest where six black teenagers were charged in beating white student; the Volusia County NAACP participated in Martin Lee Anderson demonstration (14 year old black male, killed in a boot camp at Bay County -Boot Camp); 2007/2008-Massive Voter Registration Drive in preparation for the 2008 Election; In 2012-FSC NAACP held State Convention in Daytona Beach; Branch participated in the Trayvon Martin protest-Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman;

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In 2015 Daytona Beach NAACP provided 3rd party VR training, and became one of the first branches in the state to register as a 3rd party agent; 2015 NAACP spoke out against Governor Rick Scott to receive the MMB Leadership Award hosted by Bethune-Cookman University; 2015-NAACP spoke out against City of Daytona Beach and minority hiring practices; partnered with DBPD and Black Church-Active Shooter Community Forum after the shooting of church members at Mother Emanuel AME Church in S. Carolina; 2016-Massive Voter registrations and Candidates forums; 2017-FL NAACP on behalf of the Daytona Beach NAACP call against Betsey DeVos speaking at 2017 BCU graduation (National Office Supported demonstration; National press-other colleges and universities followed BCU students against Betsey DeVos policies as education director).

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Diversity Advocacy and Pandemic Response (2019–2021)

2019-21 Volusia County-DB NAACP called for more diversity in Volusia County government; Massive voter registration drive-Registered Ex-Felons to vote because of Amendment 4; NAACP president selected to serve as a member of the search committee for Volusia County School Superintendent (2xs); participated in City Commission, School Board and County Council meetings; Partnered with City and County Covid 19 Testing sites; Ongoing meetings with the Daytona Beach Police Department on various community issues; participated in Black Lives Matters march (George Floyd); supported a Citizens Review Board for the City of Daytona Beach; assisted Black Clergy Alliance in setting up appointments for COVID Vaccines in Black Community; adopted Turie T. Small Elementary and Campbell Middle School.

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Community Resilience, Disaster Relief, and Current Initiatives (2020–Present)

In 2020 Volusia County Branch held Town Halls and Community Forums; Provided poll workers and Election Protection training; Monitored the 2020 elections. Provided voter registration drive (various community events; door-to-door and Bethune-Cookman University).

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2022-Partnered with Red Cross after Hurricane Ian caused severe damage in the Community. Ensured residents received local and federal assistance; distributed food and cleaning supplies; Red Cross partnership-SOUND THE ALARM, put smoke detectors in homes in Midtown; 2021 & 2023 President Slater provided testimony challenging the State of Florida’s Redistricting and Voter Registration law. Updated method for voter registrations due to new voter registration laws for 3rd party voter registration organizations; training with Supervisor of Elections; Day at the State Capitol-Tallahassee;

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2024-Voter Education, Registration, GOTV and Voter Protection-preparation for 2024 Election; Hurricane Milton caused damage to Daytona Beach. Partnered with Red Cross-assisted residents in the application for local and federal assistance (Transform386). Distributed food and cleaning supplies; Monitored the 2024 elections; In 2024-Started IN MY SHOES initiative-provide sneakers to 6th, 7th and 8th graders every month-ongoing initiative;

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2025 to current-Partnered with grassroots organizations- Equal Ground, Common Cause, VoteRiders, SPLC, League of Women Voters, All Voting is Local, FAITH IN FLORIDA, Devine Nine, Black Voters Matter; Provided information to residents-voting/election; Participated in the Day at the Nation’s Capitol and the State Capitol (spoke at Day at the Capitol Rally-2025/26), Participated in NO KINGS RALLY, Community meetings regarding legislative agenda. Ongoing phone banking initiative-making calls to voters on several issues, including election reminders.