Its mission in the 21st century is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination".NAACP initiatives include political lobbying, publicity efforts, and litigation strategies developed by its legal team. [7]  The group enlarged its mission in the late 20th century by considering issues such as police misconduct, the status of black foreign refugees, and questions of economic development. [8]  Its name, retained in accordance with tradition, uses the once common term colored people, referring to those with some African ancestry. [9]  The NAACP started publishing a quarterly magazine, The Crisis, and it had as its editor W.E.B Du Bois for 24 years.

 

NAACP local branches have also been important. When, in its early years, the national office launched campaigns against The Birth of a Nation, it was the local branches that carried out the boycotts. When the organization fought to expose and outlaw lynching, the branches carried the campaign into hundreds of communities. And while the Legal Defense Fund developed a federal court strategy of legal challenges to segregation, many branches fought discrimination using state laws and local political opportunities, sometimes winning important victories.

 

NAACP education programs focus on advancing academic, cultural, and leadership skills for Black students through initiatives like ACT-SO (the "Olympics of the Mind"), youth councils, and scholarship opportunities. These programs provide mentorship, STEM training, and advocacy for equitable education policies, including civics education and financial support for higher education.

 

Key Education Initiatives

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• ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics): A major year-round program for high school students (grades 9-12) featuring mentorship and competitions in 32 categories, including STEM, humanities, and arts.

 

• Youth & College Division: Supports young activists through Junior Youth Councils(under 13) and Youth Councils (under 25), focusing on leadership development and community mobilization.

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• Scholarships: The NAACP provides various merit and need-based scholarships, such as the Uplift Scholarship, for undergraduate and graduate students.

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• Advocacy and Policy: The organization works to ensure equitable education resources, supports culturally relevant curriculum, and promotes civics education in K-12 schools.

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• NEXTGEN Program: A leadership development program for young adults focused on social justice.

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These programs aim to cultivate leadership skills, improve academic outcomes, and provide resources for success in school and the workforce.