The Portland chapter of the NAACP is the oldest local chapter west of the Mississippi River. It’s also had a tumultuous recent history.
Last month, the Portland Mercury published a lengthy article detailing allegations of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse by the chapter’s president, E.D. Mondainé, against members of his church. Mondainé denied the allegations but resigned from the NAACP within a week.
He had already been facing widespread criticism for his leadership style. Last year, a group of NAACP members formed a coalition to challenge Mondainé's control of the organization. They wrote in their mission statement that “angry outbursts, belittling and bullying, disrespectful language, and threats have no place in NAACP meetings.”
Last week, many of the members of that group were elected to leadership roles of the chapter in what amounts to an entirely new slate of leaders.
“We were not looking to run for office,” says Sharon Gary-Smith, the new president-elect. “We were about the NAACP representing and being and communicating to the community that it serves, what civil rights and justice can look like.”
Gary-Smith, a Portlander and long-time civil rights activist, most recently served as the executive director of the Mckenzie River Gathering Foundation. She says the new board will have to work to repair relationships with members who left because of the previous leadership. She also wants to bring more young people into the organization.
“I believe in young and elders — those who have historical knowledge and those who have current knowledge — working together.” But, says Gary-Smith, she is open to running for re-election in two years if the organization needs the stability. “I don’t pass the torch when I think it’s right,” says Gary-Smith. “I believe torches are lifted and raised when people are ready.”
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