Looking Back: State NAACP Meets in Carlsbad

By Michael Bromka

NAACP’s Eddy County branch hosted New Mexico’s annual state conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Carlsbad. The success of this event was due to major sponsorship by Chevron.

“Chevron gave Eddy County NAACP funding to host the event. Chevron also gave a generous check for local college scholarships,” said County NAACP President Collis Johnson. “An equally generous Chevron check went for Lee County NAACP scholarships.”

The conference took place at the Carlsbad Events Center of Hyatt House, 4019 National Parks Highway, whose General Manager Oscar Bueno, and highly professional staff welcomed out-of-town guests. Some locals also booked a room to avoid driving and partake in fellowship.

Kick-off for the two-day event was Friday, with October’s evening Gospel Extravaganza, admission free, and refreshments catered by Roque Burritos. Local ensemble One Voice, comprised of singers from Mt. Olive, Pilgrim Rest, Mt. Zion, Trinity, and Sunset Churches, also performed, with solo leads by Voncile King and Centuree Giddens.

The Mt. Olive Men were well received, as always. Five young women from the Mount Zion Church of God in Christ Praise Team danced, delighting the audience. Out-of-town singers included Russell White from Hobbs with Jean Hodge and Cecilia Webb from Albuquerque.

Carlsbad local Yolanda Jimenez reenacted Sojourner Truth’s 1848 speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” Bernita Smith-Payne hosted.

Saturday’s Prayer Breakfast, catered by PJ & B’s, was hosted by the Rev. R.L. Smith and featured keynote speaker the Rev. Delmus Gillis from Clovis. His rousing address inspired optimism.

The conference presentations included Dr. Joel Tchafack on building personal and family financial wealth and Captain Eric Threlkeld on mitigating bias in policing. The audience feedback for the latter was spirited and heartfelt. One attendee opined that everyone has bias. But, she added, it’s a fair-minded person’s duty to keep it on a leash.

Michael Johnson of My Daddy’s Bar-B-Que both sponsored and catered a delicious lunch. From Austin, TX, featured speaker Derrick Lewis addressed the vital need for youth activism for social progress.

Lobby vendors and topics included SENMC offering higher education and the Bureau of Land Management with career opportunities. Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and SENMC gave SWAG to fill NAACP totes. Prized by out-of-towners were given city maps.

An Albuquerque team coordinated with CVS to offer COVID and free flu vaccination shots.

Ericka Cain and Brendon Wakefield from National Staff presented in the afternoon. They spoke on stringent practices to stay in compliance with NAACP policy.

Guests at the evening banquet enjoyed a brief speech by Mayor Rick Lopez and a more formal address by Ericka Cain. Andrea Armstrong catered a sumptuous meal.

Joe Cotton, NM state president of NAACP, lauded the Eddy County branch for hosting “the best conference of the decade so far.” Local gratitude is due to many businesses and contributors. Nichols Printing produced a beautiful conference program and multicolored meal tickets.

SIMCO and Intrepid offered generous support. Angie’s Flowers contributed in-kind adornments. Carlsbad’s Cal’s Shade Western and Albuquerque’s Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico generously donated to sponsor the PJ & B’s breakfast. And 10 more state and local businesses, agencies, and churches placed ads of support, for which the local organization is thankful.

Founded in 1909, NAACP is the world’s oldest civil rights organization. With early opposition to lynching and the promotion of voting rights, the organization has had a century of progress.

Locally, the NAACP sponsors annual Daniel Johnson Scholarships for high school graduates newly enrolled in college. Aside from applications and essays blindly juried, there is no ethnic stipulation. It’s open to all.

NAACP Youth and College speaker Derrick Lewis with NAACP NM State President Joe Cotton