The Okaloosa County Branch, NAACP received its charter from the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People on April 16th, 1948, making it one of the oldest civil rights organizations in Northwest Florida.

Our mission is the complete eradication of racial hatred and racial discrimination of all forms in our county and the total inclusion of people of African descent as well as other minorities, in realizing their full potential in this great county. We will advocate for justice in all aspects of American life whether it be excellence in education, the development of economic opportunities, seeking fairness in our criminal justice system, helping to provide access to affordable healthcare, or insuring our complete participation in the political process that affects all our lives.

Our branch is not the largest branch in Northwest Florida but we have been one of the most active in recent years and in fact in years past. Located in the heart of one of the largest Air Force bases in the free world, we were successful in 1981 in bringing a class action lawsuit against Eglin Air Force Base after a long and stressful 10-year legal battle. Since the suit, we have built relationships with senior base officials that have stood the test of time and have helped to resolve problems in a more proactive and effective way.

The average age of our branch officers is about 45 and the branch boasts an equally high number of women serving in positions in all capacities. We are fortunate to have no less than six previous presidents of this branch still living and serving in this area in various capacities. The torch has passed from leader to leader peacefully and without resentment. Our past presidents are as much a part of this organization as our most current officers.

We have a total of 24 active executive committee members filling positions from Prison Program Coordinator to Women In the NAACP (WIN) Director to Youth Advisor. Additionally we have had an equally active and successful ACT-SO program for 16 years running and through this effort have sponsored several fully paid scholarships to our local community college.

This branch has received national media recognition on a number of occasions to include our efforts to have the confederate battle flag removed from public property in the city of Crestview to our 1996 “Switch To Fight Campaign” whereby we switch over 2000 registered voters to the republican party in order to ensure there full in the local election process. The continued exposure of racial hatred among many neo-confederate organizations in this area will be a key focus for us.

Our branch members are as diverse as our community. All people of all races and ethnic backgrounds are members of this branch and we welcome anyone and everyone who aspire to achieve the goals and objectives of the Okaloosa County Branch and the National NAACP.