The Harrisburg Area Branch of the NAACP was organized in the early 1920’s.
In the 1950’s the branch received a new charter, and a rebirth began. Dr. George A. Jones became president in 1953. A Steelton physician, Dr. Jones started to rebuild the branch, naming it the Dauphin County Branch, to help encourage membership beyond the Harrisburg City limits. By 1959, there were more than 1,000 members.
In 1960, James H. Rowland organized the first Dauphin County Branch Freedom Fund Dinner. Mr. Rowland, who succeeded Dr. George Jones as president, continued Jones’ boycott of downtown stores and banks to secure more jobs for Blacks. Mr. Rowland initiated the famous lawsuit involving the Hill Café, located at 13th and Market Streets, which would not serve or hire Blacks. After the lawsuit was filed, the owners relented and agreed to stop its discrimination. Under Mr. Rowland’s leadership, the branch petitioned to get more Black teachers hired at the Harrisburg School District.
Reverend Franklin Henley (1962- 1966) focused his presidency on education. He served on the Citizens’ Committee, which helped to develop a plan for city school integration. The plan advanced the middle school concept and led to the establishment of a single high school. Tutorial programs were also organized with the city school district to assist students.
Barton Fields (1967- 1970), who succeeded Franklin Henley as president, concentrated on education and employment. During his four years in office, annual employment seminars were held to sensitize area businesses and public employers. Outreach programs were developed, and employment seminars were organized. Black personnel in the city school district increased from 10 to 20 percent. Fields played an active part in the recruiting effort. During this time, the branch’s name was changed from the Dauphin County Branch to the Greater Harrisburg Area Branch.
Alfred Wadley (1971-1979) is known for doubling the number of Life memberships in the NAACP. During his presidency, he attracted a broad cross-section of the community to the branch, which had been largely comprised of upper- and middle-class members. He also began a scholarship program for area students to assist with money for books and tuition.
Violet Fields (1980-1983) succeeded Wadley as president in January 1980. Under her leadership, the branch made substantial contributions to the YMCA and the YWCA. She continued the scholarship program begun by Wadley and was instrumental in having the branch contribute $500 toward the rehabilitation of a young Harrisburg resident who was seriously injured by a hand grenade. Mrs. Fields untimely death in Atlantic City, NJ, on February 18, 1983, resulted in the election of a new president. Geri Brown, first vice president, acted as a president from February to March 1983 until the election, which was won by Henry Lewis.
Henry Lewis (1983 – 1984) continued the work begun by Mrs. Fields and gave 100 percent in the process. He participated in the second march on Washington, D.C., in
memory of Dr. Martin Luther King’s 1963 March and Black Dollar Day, a program of the national office.
Earlye Bergen (1985-1986) followed Lewis as president in January 1985 and continued the programs that were already in existence. Bergen spoke on the steps of the Capitol in support of the anti-apartheid movement.
George H. Love, Ph.D. (1987-1990) was elected branch president in 1987. Under his leadership the chapter participated in two marches in Washington, D.C., membership and voter registration drives, NAACP scholarships and numerous other community activities. Dr. Love initiated the NAACP Radiothon and continued Black Dollar Day and ACT-SO. Our second African American School Superintendent, Randolph P. Outen, was appointed in 1990. He continues to serve on the PA State Conference Executive Committee since 1989. He serves as local education chair for the unit.
Jessica D. Butler-Grant (1991-1996) led the branch for six years. Under her leadership, several new committees were organized, the Prison Concern and the Police Review Board Committees. The branch also sponsored an African American Cultural Excursion for youth, a two-day tour of New York and Washington, D.C. At the same time, the branch expanded the college scholarship program and continued its traditional programs, conducting Radiothon membership drives, Candidates’ Nights, Black History Month celebrations and initiated Harrisburg NAACP National ACT-SO competitions. Since 1991, Mrs. Butler- Grant also has served the Pennsylvania Conference of NAACP Branches as first and third vice presidents for 15 years, Central Region Sectional director for 12 years and Legislative Committee chair. In 2008 she was elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors and currently serves as the first woman elected to the position from Pennsylvania. Locally she serves as Life Membership chair and parliamentarian for the unit. Mrs. Butler-Grant has served as past Worthy Matron of Esther #1 Order of Eastern Star and is presently serving as Loyal Lady Ruler of Assembly #50 Golden Circle (Sisters of 33 Degree Masons).
Charles J. Chivis (1997-2000) was a full-time president of the organization and devoted his time and effort trying to reconnect the local branch to the Black churches in the area and the common people. The local NAACP made news when it strongly opposed the placement of a medical waste plant next to a public housing neighborhood. Based on the NAACP’s opposition, the president of Bio-Oxidation decided not to build that plant in Harrisburg after all. In the winter of 1998-1999, the branch spearheaded a flyer drive to collect information on the high-water rates, late fees and penalties being charged by the Harrisburg Authority, which operates the city water system. As a result, in March of 1999, water rates were reduced by 20 percent and the late fees and penalties charged on past due water bills were cut in half.
Paula Diane Harris (2000 – 2002) opened the branch’s first office in the Greater Harrisburg community in May 2000. Under her tenure, the branch developed a Web site, permitting people to download membership and complaint forms and provide more information on the NAACP. She participated in ACT-SO by sending several students to the national competitions. She was a champion of youth issues with her daughter serving as youth president for three years. Ms. Harris actively participated in legislative, legal, and economic issues that affected the Greater Harrisburg area community. The signature of her presidency was this: “There is only one race, and that is the human race.”
Clare Jones (2003 – 2006) became president after successfully repelling an election appeal. She is a well- known figure in Harrisburg serving as a State Board Member of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition, a member of the Harrisburg School District’s Board of Control, President of the Midtown Market District, and a past Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. She is familiar to many people who watch Harrisburg City Council meetings as the “hat lady,” who has brought community issues to council’s attention for decades. She shares a passion for racial justice, which is the hallmark of the NAACP.
Stanley R. Lawson, Sr. (2007-2016) took office and immediately set to work to renew the spirit of the NAACP. Mr. Lawson nurtured a new relationship with the Interdenominational Ministers Conference. He recruited attorneys to sit on the Executive Committee to lend their expertise to address the many civil rights issues that come before the branch. The branch sponsored a Youth Gospel Choir in Reservoir Park, a funeral service on the Capitol steps to bury the N-word and held numerous candidates’ forums. Mr. Lawson also worked with the U.S. Justice Department, the police, and the Steelton community to build respect between law enforcement and citizens.
In 2008 Mr. Lawson served on the PA State Conference Committee, where he chaired the Political Action Committee. In 2010, Mr. Lawson was part of a “We are One” rally involving many groups. He has attended many school board meetings and supported the first female African American superintendent of Harrisburg schools. In 2014, He was appointed to the Susquehanna Township Human Relations Commission. In 2015 Mr. Lawson and the Harrisburg Branch helped implement a “Ban the Box” program in the City of Harrisburg.
