Students and parents line up for the start of the NAACP Back-to-School Celebration to kick-off the 2022-2023 school year. The annual event is to promote school success and provide essential school supplies for Albion students.
NAACP BACK-TO-SCHOOL CELEBRATION HUGE SUCCESS
Albion students had a great start to the school year with the local NAACP-sponsored Back-to-School Celebration at Harrington School. Cosponsoring were Albion Community Foundation, Albion’s Big Read, Play Right Sports Academy, and Orchards Children’s Services.
About 400 attendees celebrated the new 2022-23 school year in an outdoor event. This year over 140 parents or guardians participated in the celebration aimed at school readiness. Over 215 students received supply-filled backpacks along with grade-specific supplies. The event was open to all Albion students.
NAACP Education Committee Chair Mae Ola Dunklin said, “We are very aware of the struggles schools are enduring because of various obstacles, including teacher and staff shortages. By having necessary supplies in our students’ hands, we hope to encourage and motivate them always to work hard and come to the classroom prepared to work.”
Dunklin stated that the event was also designed to support the Harrington teachers as they began their new year. Dunklin said the celebration would not have been a success without the support of so many organizations and individuals. She stated that there were many partners at this year’s event.
COVID vaccinations, childhood immunizations, children’s health screenings, and family health information displays were on-site. Health and wellness partners include the Calhoun County Health Department, Grace Health, Summit Pointe, CareWell Services, Albion Health Care Alliance, Battle Creek YMCA, Fountain Clinic, Community Gardens, and Albion Interfaith Ministries.
More partners included Forks Senior Center, Albion Scouting-Cub Scouts, Albion Sister City, Fritz Schumer Center for Teacher Development, Alpha Kappa Sorority Psi Kappa Omega Chapter, Head Start, Innovate Albion, Spicer-Williams Foundation, South Central Michigan Food Bank, Albion Department of Public Safety, Neighborhood One of Battle Creek, Bohm Theatre, Albion District Library, American Association of University Women, Albion First United Methodist Church, Caring Community Church, Ludington Center, First Baptist Church, Albion Fellows, Kellogg Community College, Harrington’s Parent Organization and individual volunteers.
As a surprise the Albion College football team attended the event and interacted with students and the family-centered celebration.
The NAACP Education Committee coordinated the annual event under the leadership of Mae Ola Dunklin. Members are Jessica Kane, Nels Christiansen, Jess Roberts, Bernice Wyrick, Eddie Williams, Kay Knight, Vivian Davis, Keena Williams, Hazel Lias and Linda Kolmodin.
Albion NAACP Recent Happenings
Albion branch NAACP and Albion College recently completed two studies about the city of Albion. One is about our public parks, the other is about policing in Albion. Click the image below to access both studies.
From our Facebook page
Legacy Posts from our Facebook page
Risks and Benefits of Vaccination – Expert Panel
May 2021
Spring 2021 – We loved seeing everyone who came to the meet-and-greet between our local NAACP and Albion College’s chapter!
COVID-19 Testing
November 2020
Albion Health Care Alliance worked with the Albion branch of NAACP and several other agencies during 2020 on programs because of the pandemic. Albion was one of the cities that benefited from free community testing.
Albion-Homer United Way and others made social media posts. They put up signs around Albion, so people knew where and when to go to be tested.
The other agencies were the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the City of Albion, Allegiance Health, and Albion College.
Residents of Calhoun County can go to the Washington Gardner gym, which is open Monday and Wednesday from noon to 7 PM and Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM. For an appointment, please call 888-535-6136
Learn more about the location and the testing on this post: www.albionmich.net/covid_testing_2020/
Voter Registration – 2016
For National Voter Registration Day, Albion NAACP worked with administration and student organizations at Albion College. This made possible a registration event at the college where 135 students were registered.
In addition, much information was shared. Through interactions with leaders from the college, our unit, NAACP and AAUW, the college has taken the new initiatives. This work has helped to adopt a strong program to promote student registration and voting.
In addition to the work at Albion College, 411 Voter Guides were shared with a senior housing area, two local businesses and the organizations involved with the event.
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Trip to Smithsonian African-American Museum Opening with Albion College students and administration. Read more at https://web.albion.edu/academics/departments/ethnic-studies/department-news/13349-trip-to-smithsonian-african-american-museum-opening-an-amazing-experience
