By Karen Best

The NAACP celebrates its 100th anniversary this week.  In honor of this historic occasion the organization is holding their Centennial Convention in New York from July 11-16, 2009. The purpose of the convention is to establish policies and programs of action for the ensuing year. Numerous political figures such as, General Colin Powell, Rev. Al Sharpton, New York Governor David Patterson and President Barack Obama are scheduled speakers.

The NAACP is the oldest, largest and most recognized civil rights organization. Their mission has been to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred or racial discrimination. Over the course of its 100 years the NAACP has tackled issues including lynching, segregation, voting rights and civil rights inside and outside the courtroom.

With many of the active members getting older and the election of the first African American President there have been assertions that the NAACP is no longer needed. Rep. Charles Rangel echoed the sentiments of many by saying “You bet your life we do”. Attorney General Eric Holder followed Rep. Rangel by saying “the country has made enormous progress”, but he warned Obama’s election is not the endpoint.

The law firm of Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC agrees. For more than two decades we have been championing the rights of employees and fighting discrimination in the workplace. If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer, call Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.