Our Mission Statement: to achieve equity, political rights and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination and accelerate the wellbeing, education and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

Message from the President

Empowerment and Self Worth!

March is a month dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women, both past and present, who have shaped our values and inspired future generations. At the NAACP Brockton Area Branch, we deeply appreciate the dedication and leadership of all our women members.

While I value every woman in our branch, I want to take this moment to extend a special thank you to the women of the NAACP Brockton Area Branch Executive Committee. LaTwanda, Sydné Nishawnda, Courtney, Leona, Patricia, Vanessa, Janet, and Nichole – your collective strength, dedication, and leadership are crucial as we pursue our mission. Together, we are committed to achieving equity, political rights, and social inclusion. We work tirelessly to advance policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and promote the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.



Thank you for embodying empowerment and self-worth in every aspect of our work.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”- Maya Angelou

Phyllis Ellis

LaTwanda Merricks

3rd Vice President



“You will be wounded many times in your life. You’ll make mistakes. Some people will call them failures but I have learned that failure is really God’s way of saying, “Excuse me, you’re moving in the wrong direction.” It’s just an experience, just an experience.” – Oprah Winfrey

Sydné Marrow

Treasurer



“If you are fortunate to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure other people have those opportunities as well.” — Kamala Harris

Nishawnda Ellis-Castillo

Website and Facebook Coordinator

"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas."

-Shirley Chisholm

Courtney Henderson

Executive Committee



“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”

-Maya Angelou

Leona Martin

Executive Committee

“If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that.”– Michelle Obama

Dr. Patricia Jackson

Chair, Housing Committee

Chair, Economic Development Committee



“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.

-Maya Angelou

Vanessa Nascimento

Chair, Education Committee

“I want all the girls without an exception to have that space for themselves where they have opportunities to be the women they wish to be.”

-Priyanka Chopra

Janet Trask,

Chair, Health Committee

“Our collective experience has shown that when women have the power to make their own choices, good things happen.”

— Madeleine Albright

Nichole Gaitling

Chair, WIN Committee



“There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to cloth, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.” – Nikki Giovanni

Congratulations to the Honorable Tiffanie Ellis-Niles

A better month could not have been chosen for the swearing in of the Honorable Tiffanie Ellis-Niles!

The Honorable Tiffanie Ellis-Niles was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court by Governor Maura Healey on March 3, 2025. She will preside at the Suffolk County Juvenile Court.

As president and your mother, congratulations on a job well done! I am so proud of you!

...Now you understand why my head is not bowed. I don't shout about or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud...Cause I'm a woman, Phenomenally, Phenomenal woman, that's me! -Maya Angelou

Black Excellence - The Honorable Tiffanie Ellis-Niles

Judge Tiffanie Ellis-Niles is a 2004 graduate of Suffolk Law School. On Friday, March 21 she was awarded the Black Excellence Alumni Award.

Congratulations Judge Ellis-Niles and continue to rise!

Diversity is about accepting each other for how we are. It is about acknowledging our differences and embracing our uniqueness. We are all different and yet at the very core, the same human. - Ola Joseph

March 24, 2025 - Membership Meeting

Brockton Superintendent Outlines Vision and Addresses Community Concerns

On March 24, 2025, the NAACP Brockton Area Branch had the privilege of hosting Priya Tahiliani, the Superintendent of Schools for Brockton, at our monthly membership meeting. Superintendent Tahiliani graciously dedicated nearly an hour to engaging with our members and addressing their questions in detail.

In a wide-ranging discussion with the NAACP Brockton, Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Priya Tahiliani shared updates on district initiatives and addressed key community concerns. The superintendent, who is eight months into her role, emphasized her commitment to making Brockton schools “a system to be proud of.”

The Superintendent detailed enhanced security protocols being implemented across the district, particularly at Brockton High School. These include key card access points, visitor management systems, and plans to install door alarms and cameras. The district is also in the process of rekeying the entire high school and reviewing access protocols.

With the recent elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement, the district has established new competency determination standards. For the class of 2025, students must complete specific course requirements in English, math, and social studies. The superintendent indicated that future guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would help shape long-term policies.

The district has expanded support for immigrant students and families, maintaining clear policies against allowing ICE into school buildings. Superintendent Tahiliani highlighted the district's first-ever Social Emotional Learning department and crisis response team, which provides crucial support during challenging times, including recent tragic events like the recent murder of two teenagers affecting the school community.

A major focus is developing a staff that reflects the diverse Brockton community. The district has secured national grant funding for programs that support paraprofessionals in obtaining teaching credentials, with particular emphasis on multilingual staff members. An administrative internship program helps develop future school leaders from within the district.

With regard to Mental Health, the superintendent acknowledged the growing mental health challenges facing students and outlined multiple support channels, including:



- School adjustment counselors

- Social emotional learning curriculum

- Crisis response teams

- Advisory programs to ensure students have trusted adult connections

- Partnership with universities for additional mental health resources

Looking ahead, the superintendent emphasized the importance of adapting to emerging educational trends while maintaining fiscal responsibility, particularly given potential funding changes. She expressed optimism about incorporating new technologies like AI while staying focused on student needs.

The superintendent concluded by highlighting the importance of community partnerships, particularly with organizations like the NAACP Brockton, in supporting Brockton's diverse student population and ensuring their success.

We invite you to listen to Superintendent Tahiliani's responses to MCAS regarding special needs students and resources in place after the tragic shooting of the 2 teenagers by clicking here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bJCJtOoYoefhHa_6ljF3WfSjO5j3Pv-i/view?usp=drive_link

We look forward to our continued partnership.

-Bishop Tony Branch

1st Vice President

Astrid Joseph

On March 4, 2025, we mourned the loss of not only a beautiful soul but also a dedicated member of the Brockton Area NAACP. Our hearts go out to Astrid's family and friends during this difficult time.

Astrid was a cherished member of our branch, actively serving on the WIN Committee. Her willingness to volunteer and support our events was truly admirable. You may recall seeing her most recently at our MLK Breakfast on January 18, where she greeted attendees at the registration desk. Beyond that, Astrid contributed her time and passion to numerous other initiatives, including our Get Out the Vote campaign at Brockton High, the Brockton Symphony, our 70th Anniversary celebration, Planet Earth Family Fun Night, numerous WIN events including the Phenomenal Women Award events.



Her presence and dedication will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May Astrid rest in heavenly peace.

Her services will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, at Morning Star Baptist Church, Mattapan. MA. Viewing at 10AM to 11AM. Celebration of Life, 11AM

Her obituary is here:

https://www.davisofboston.com/obituary/Astrid-Joseph

April 4, 2024

Please consider donating blood.

This blood drive is being hosted by the Boxer Outreach Club.

Please come and donate blood on Friday, April 4 at the Brockton High School Auditorium, from 1pm to 6pm.

There will be refreshments, raffles and gift cards donated by the NAACP Brockton given to donors.

Please come and support the students of the Boxer Outreach Club.

April 19, 2025

The local ACTSO Competition, sponsored by the NAACP Brockton Area Branch will be held on Saturday, April 19 from Noon to 4pm at the West Middle School.

We have students competing in nine categories:



STEM (Biology and Chemistry), Entrepreneurship, Painting, Photography, Poetry Written, Poetry Performance, Dramatics and Dance Contemporary.

Gold medalists will compete at the National ACTSO Competition, being held in Charlotte, NC., July 9 thru July 13.

All expenses paid.

Let's wish them luck!



April 20th Deadline

the NAACP Brockton Area Branch is pleased to offer $1000 scholarships for the 3rd year. The deadline to apply is April 20.

Eligibility Requirements:

Resident of Brockton, Easton, Avon, Middleborough, Taunton, Bridgewater and Attleboro.

Graduating Students of Color

The winners will also receive a one-year NAACP Youth Membership.

Please contact Vanessa Nascimento at NAACPBROCKTONED@GMAIL.COM

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The Brockton Area Branch NAACP is extremely busy. If you would like to join our organization and become a member of any of the active committees, please contact: presidentphyllis@naacp-brocktonbranch.org

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Committees

• ACT-SO - The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics mentoring program for high school students. With ACT-SO, the NAACP is providing an instrument through which African-American youth are encouraged and inspired toward excellence in academic and cultural pursuits while benefiting from the maximum support of their communities;

• The Committee on Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs shall: (1) seek to establish a working relationship with those agencies in government, national, state and local, having the responsibility in the affairs of members of the various Armed Services and Veterans and to see that the programs to which they are responsible are administered fairly and justly to members of the minority community; (2) study conditions pertaining to veterans and members of the Military Service and their dependents and/or survivors in the community; (3) serve as a center of information on matters affecting the members of the Active Military, Reserves, State National Guard and Veterans; (4) maintain a repository of materials, information and forms to be used in assisting veterans and/or dependents of veterans and military personnel with their problems; (5) receive and act on all complaints relative to acts of discrimination on account of race, color, creed, or denial of benefits to which they are entitled because of discrimination; (6) prepare a quarterly report on committee activities to be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Unit and the National Director of Armed Services and Veterans Affairs.
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Economic Development. The Committee on Economic Development shall implement local efforts and support national programs to preserve and expand economic empowerment among African-Americans and other communities of color by: (1) researching and establishing relationships with private and public entities; (2) supporting the work of the National Office in monitoring the progress and activity of private and public entities designated by national programs; and (3) implementing local efforts to promote the growth of business ownership; (4) increasing employment and job creation; and (5) encouraging business development and home ownership.

• Education - The Committee on Education shall: (1) seek to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory. practices in public education; (2) study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; (3) investigate the public school system and school zoning; (4) familiarize itself with textbook material there from which racially derogatory; (5) seek to stimulate school attendance; (6) keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found; (7) investigate the effects of standardized and high stakes testing practices; (8) teacher certification; (9) promote parental involvement in education; and (10) aim to be a center of popular education on the race question and on the work of the Association.

• Health - The Health Committee shall: (1) work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans; (2) assess the health needs of the community; (3) advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans; (4) sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and (5) support health initiatives of the Association

• Housing - The Committee on Housing shall:) (1) study housing conditions in the local community; (2) receive and seek to address complaints of discrimination; (3) oppose all restrictive practices whether public or private; and (4) disseminate information and render such other assistance which may eliminate discrimination in housing.

• Legal Redress - The Legal Redress Committee shall: (1) investigate all cases reported to it; (2) supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested; and (3) keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.

• Political Action - The Political Action Committee shall: (1) seek to increase registration and voting; (2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups; (3) seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation; (4) work to improve the administration of justice; (5) work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and (6) keep the National Office and the Unit informed of all proposed legislation which affects minority groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office



• WIN (Women in NAACP) WIN shall address within the framework of the NAACP, civil rights issues affecting women and children and shall carry out other civil and cultural activities to enhance membership and provide financial support to the Branch. The purpose WIN is (1) to enhance the leadership role of women; (2) to serve as an advocacy vehicle to address the social, economic, political, educational, health and welfare issues affecting women; (3) to advocate for the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual development of children and (4) to support the policies as well as the on-going mission and vision of the NAACP. 

Brockton Area Branch NAACP

PO Box 1535

Brockton, MA 02303

(781) 807-1092