The AC Phoenix
April 1998
Page 7
The Empowering
Role of the NAACP
In 1957, the NAACP created the
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
— a coalition of civil rights organiza
tions. This institutionalized broad-based
support for the struggle was crucial to
the Association's drive to win passage of
civil rights legislation, which ensured
government protection for legal victories
going back some 75 years. In one
decade, a non-violent social revolution
and transformed American society.
The NAACP has wrought other
changes through public pressure and
raised consciousness. The NAACP has
long fought to end the racial stereotypes
that create misunderstanding and preju
dice. The NAACP has worked to change
attitudes, laws and institutions for the
good of all Americans. It has repeatedly
rejected the voices of hate and sepa
ratism, seeking to bind old wounds and
unify our nation. Today, after more than
89 years of unrelenting struggle, the
NAACP remains steadfast in its commit
ment to the true American Dream — an
integrated society rich in diversity and
open equally to all.
On Feb. 2, 1998, Dr. Kweisi Mfume,
president of the NAACP, announced an
Economic Reciprocity Initiative that will
review the policies and practices of the
telecommunications industry to deter
mine their impact on African Americans,
including employment, purchasing, ser
vice deployment and infrastructure
development. The goal of the NAACP is
to establish a consumer movement to
encourage African Americans to do
more business with companies that have
good diversity policies, and create eco
nomic boycotts of companies that do
not.
Following are the remarks made at the
Feb. 2, 1998, press conference by
NAACP President Kweisi Mfume. This
preceded the NAACP board meeting
naming Julian Bond Chairman of its pol
icy-making board and successor of
Myriie Ever-Williams. At that meeting
also, the new economic/political role of
the National Black Leadership
Roundtable, the legislative and commu
nity action arm of the Congressional
Black Caucus, and its official interorga-
nizational, not-for-profit publication, the
"National BLACK MONITOR" were set
forth.
"Today, we are here to advance the
economic initiatives of the NAACP. As
one of our established pillars of activity,
economic empowerment remains the
'new frontier' for civil rights activism. As
we approach the 21st Century, we are
increasingly operating in an information
economy. This is an economy that
social advocacy groups must master,
and one that must respond to us in turn
as a consumer base.
"Technology is an area of commerce
and trade that will be pivotal to any
effort toward economic empowerment
of racial minorities. For those and many
other reasons, we have selected and are
announcing the roll-out of our econom
ic reciprocity project into the telecom
munications industry today.
"Joining me today are representatives
from the more than [60] African
American organizations and publica
tions that support today's message. We
at the NAACP are deeply appreciative of
their support as partners in this effort
and they will be available to share com
ments and take questions in just a few
moments.
"But first, as a coalition of organiza
tions we wanted to give you an update
on the economic reciprocity hotel initia
tive and put into context our next indus
try review.
"In February 1997, we stood before
many of you in this building and
announced the results of an almost
year-long review of the lodging indus
try. Then, in June of last year, we
issued the first NAACP consumer
choice guide and our report card on
the hotel industry. Suffice it to say that
much has happened since then.
"Over 40,000 consumer choice
guides and report cards have been dis
tributed. Over [601 national African
American organizations and publica
tions have officially signed-on to the
initiative.
"Members of our respective organi
zations have embraced the principles
of economic reciprocity and are mak
ing informed consumer choices about
where they spend their hotel dollars.
The participating organizations, both
nationally and locally, are leveraging
their collective consumer strength
when negotiating contracts for meet
ings, conferences and other events.
The feedback has been significant.
"There has been positive movement
within the lodging industry over the
last 12 months. We'd like to share
some of that preliminary information
with you.
"We know for example...
That hotel chains have launched
aggressive minority franchise recruit
ment initiatives such as Cendant
Corporation (formerly HFS, Inc.). With
one of our cosponsoring organizations
— the National Urban League.
That hotel chains have secured the
services of African American marketing
agencies to advise them on developing
marketing and advertising strategies
aimed at the African American con
sumer segment.
That a consortium of companies have
created the Multicultural Foodservice
and Hospitality Alliance to promote
diversity within that industry.
That African Americans have been
promoted to officer level positions and
in at least one instance, to the board of
directors.
That there are transactions underway
for African Americans to own and oper
ate hotels.
"We must caution, however, that
while preliminary reports have had
some positive developments within the
industry, only an ongoing and thorough
review will yield credible results.
"As sucb, and in accordance with
Tiped of
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fL
pavcmenf
looking
project guidelines, we are again collect
ing data and surveying the hotels includ
ed in the lodging initiative to determine
what, if any, additional progress has
been made since February of last year.
"Tbe results of the ongoing survey of
the hotel industry will be published in
the July report card, as well as the annu
al update of the Hotel Consumer Choice
Guide. We will keep attention focused
on the track record of the industry and
the track record of the individual hotel
chains.
"In addition, we would also like to
announce, today, the formation of a
Lodging Industry Advisory Task Force to
the NAACP to advise us on ways to
affect even greater change and to identi
fy opportunities.
"As such, volunteers are providing
their time, expertise and resources to
this council to help ensure long-term
implementation of the hotel effort.
Continued on page 8
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