The Minneapolis NAACP’s continued fight for justice

Minneapolis, still grappling with the trauma of 2020 and the long history that preceded it, has seen conversations about policing, housing, education, and equity grow louder and more urgent. At the center of many of these discussions is the Minneapolis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization with roots stretching back more than a century and a mission that remains deeply relevant today.

The NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, was founded in 1909 by a diverse group of Black and white activists. Black leaders W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, and Mary Church Terrell were among those who responded to racial violence, particularly lynching, as well as systemic discrimination and the rise of Jim Crow laws. From its earliest years, the organization focused on legal advocacy, voting rights, and protecting Black Americans from racial violence.

Minnesota’s involvement began shortly after, with the Minneapolis branch established in 1913, making it one of the oldest in the Midwest. Over the decades, the Minneapolis NAACP has fought against school segregation, housing discrimination, police brutality, and voter suppression; often addressing these issues before they captured national attention.

Its legacy continues today.

Cynthia Wilson, president of the Minneapolis NAACP, says the organization’s work is a direct continuation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy, blending courage, community building, and a deep belief in the dignity of every human being.

Wilson emphasizes that unity is not an abstract idea but a daily practice, a commitment to bringing people together to fight for fairness and opportunity. Dr. King often spoke broadly about civil rights, but his work was deeply rooted in everyday needs: safe homes, fair schools, access to healthcare, the right to vote, and protection from violence.

“The Minneapolis NAACP continues Dr. King’s legacy by fighting for justice in many areas at once: education, housing, policing, health, and voting rights,” Wilson said in a statement. “Our work reflects King’s belief in collective liberation and building a ‘beloved community,’ where everyone has dignity and opportunity.”

Through advocacy, legal action, and community organizing, the Minneapolis NAACP challenges systems that continue to disproportionately affect Black families. The organization addresses school segregation, racial disparities in health outcomes, police accountability, and voting access, viewing each of these issues as interconnected.

Minneapolis is home to diverse Black communities, including African-American families with long local roots, East African immigrants, Afro-Caribbeans, youth, elders, artists, business owners, and activists with varying perspectives. Building unity across these communities can be challenging, but the NAACP intentionally creates structures to bring people together.

“We bring people together through committees focused on youth, education, criminal justice, and community building,” Wilson said. These committees allow elders to share wisdom, young organizers to bring new ideas, and neighbors from different parts of the city to meet over shared concerns. The NAACP also partners with legal clinics, healing circles, neighborhood associations, and voting initiatives to ensure advocacy reaches every corner of Minneapolis.

“By working on both local issues and citywide policy, we connect diverse parts of the community under shared goals,” Wilson said.

Asked what “echoes of unity” look like in Minneapolis today, Wilson highlighted collective civic engagement, particularly efforts to mobilize voters and empower people whose rights were recently restored. Unity is also visible in collaboration between generations on issues like housing and policing. While young activists and longtime leaders may sometimes disagree on strategies, Wilson sees strength in their willingness to work together.

“Unity isn’t about everyone being the same. It’s about moving together toward justice and a thriving future,” she said. “It’s through love, hope, and the village mentality that our community can thrive and be well.”

Wilson acknowledges that unity today is often complex and emotional, but she believes this does not weaken it; rather, it strengthens it. “Unity today is often imperfect and complex, but it is still powerful. What matters is the shared commitment to dignity, safety, and opportunity for all Black people in Minneapolis,” she said.

Every moment of connection, she says, contributes to the long-term work of collective liberation. “The work continues because every voice and every generation has a role in shaping collective liberation,” Wilson said.

In a city still healing and envisioning a more just future, the Minneapolis NAACP remains one of the strongest echoes of unity.

For more information, visit www.naacpmpls.com.

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student