NAACP leadership changes carry Licking County chapter into next phase

After two years since the Licking County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was reactivated, it's under new leadership.

The chapter was activated in 2020 following the death of George Floyd during an incident with Minneapolis police. The organization was led by president Bryanna Stigger and other leaders in the organization included former Newark councilman Jeremy Blake and Licking County high school students Carmen Lewandowski and Jadyn Paige.

Stigger, who works at Ohio State University as a program manager of inclusive excellence, recently told The Advocate she's now a doctoral candidate and is working toward completing her dissertation, which requires additional focus. In addition, Stigger also launched a coaching and consulting business through BryInspired.com. She has since relocated to the Columbus area.

"It's time for new leadership. It's time to transition to the next phase," Stigger said, adding she felt they'd gotten well established in those first two years. "We're really proud of the accomplishments we've accomplished in such a short period of time."

Succeeding Stigger is Deveonne Gregory, a Reynoldsburg native who works as chief compliance officer for the National Center for Urban Solutions in Columbus.

"I decided to join (the NAACP) because I wanted to continue in the mission and vision of work that's already been started for the advancement of colored people, African Americans, and to ensure we're still providing opportunities for the underrepresented," Gregory said. "So I believe I'm able to be an asset in I can bring a lot of experience when it comes to leading the board and community involvement."

Gregory said the organization's focus will be on education, mental health, criminal justice, and political action. She explained they want to ensure everyone understands their voting rights, that everyone's registered to vote and have a way to vote. Gregory added the NAACP Licking County chapter will also focus on their youth coalition.

Sonya Glover, Licking Heights girls basketball coach, and Corey Stroud, Licking Heights director of diversity and inclusion, serve as the organization's vice presidents. Jamie Holderman, founder of the former Community Alliance for Racial Justice, serves as secretary, and Emily Vermillion serves as treasurer.

A Cleveland native, Glover said she hopes to bring her expertise in several areas, as the wife of a retired U.S. Air Force airman who has experience substitute teaching and working with youth, and working for the state attorneys' office in Tampa, Florida.

"What I want to bring is some actual grassroots connection for our veterans, because my husband being retired U.S. Air Force. I connect to students because I'm currently a high school coach," Glover said. "...I want to have a hand in connection with seniors (also). I recently lost my mother to Alzheimer's. I saw a need for seniors to have medical care and being directed to the right resources."

After the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. Supreme Court, Glover said one of the NAACP's goals locally will be continued voter registration.

"We understand the value of the voice and the vote. Everyone should have representation," she said.

One of their goals is also to drive NAACP membership locally, Glover said, and continue establishing partnerships.

Stroud told The Advocate he joined the NAACP's leadership team in hopes of being able to make a larger impact on the community, so he could reach not only his students, but their families too.

It's his experience with diversity, equity and inclusion, he said, that he brings to the table.

"One of the reasons I came to Licking Heights is because of the diversity - I want to make a difference," he said, noting over 40 languages are represented in the district. "The community has changed over the years...Change can be difficult for some people, so I want to make sure I can help ease the transition and bring new initiatives with my partnerships."

Stroud said he'd also like to raise awareness within Licking County about the chapter's existence and how it can be used as a vessel to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Reflecting on the first two years of the organization after being reactivated, Stigger said just reactivating the chapter in and of itself was a major feat. But, she said, she's also proud the organization established a BIPOC scholarship through a collaboration with the Licking County Foundation.

Beyond that, Stigger said she was proud of the work the organization did to amplify Black businesses in Licking County, their work with the Licking County Library, programs held in partnership with The Works Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology, and the plaque now at Don Edwards Park, honoring the Newark Grays.

Stigger said the organization is also currently working to establish a youth chapter at Newark High School.

"I hope the organization continues to grow in partnerships and membership. I hope the community intends to continue to establish opportunities for us to engage with one another," Stigger said, adding she hopes the organization will also continue to amplify Black voices. "I'm grateful to the community members and organizations that have supported us."

The Licking County chapter of the NAACP meets virtually for its general meetings on the third Thursday of every month. Executive meetings are held the second Sunday of each month. For more information about the organization and their meetings, visit their Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: NAACP leadership changes carry Licking County chapter into next phase