ST. LOUIS – The new Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel named his appointments to the executive committee and announced the organization’s legislative agenda.
“I am elated to have a team of experienced, diverse, and dedicated people from across Missouri, who will help me to continue to build upon the 107-year old brand of the NAACP,” Chapel said. Chapel named a group of advocates for the organization that would also serve in specialized, executive roles. Many of those appointed have been placed in specialized, executive positions.
For the first time, the board will also be racially diverse, with three white people serving on the board (Dr. Cheryl Avant, Jane Dueker, and Brent Vanconia). Twelve of the 18 appointments are also women.
“As I work to build with the executive committee, it is my hope that we can send the message that the Missouri NAACP is welcoming to civil rights advocates from all walks of life,” Chapel said. “Although some of our new executive committee members are new to the work of the NAACP, they are not new to public service and working for righteous causes.”
The appointments signal a sharp turn done by the state NAACP with its hiring of Chapel to the top spot. He has been active in the Capitol to provide testimony on multiple pieces of legislation and promises that his organization is resurgent.
“We want the nation to know that it is a new day at the Missouri NAACP,” he said.
Chapel named the following people to their respective positions Monday.
- Steven Ricard, First Vice President-Kansas City
- Rose Mary Johnson, Second Vice President-St. Louis
- Glenn Bonner, Treasurer-Jefferson City
- Mary Ann Grayson, Secretary-Kansas City
- Cheryl Clay, Assistant Secretary-Springfield
- Dr. Cheryl Avant, Public Health Advocate-Jefferson City
- Attorney Jane Dueker, KMOX Political Analyst and Host, Attorney Spencer Fane Law Firm –St. Louis
- Mark Esters, President St. Louis Coalition of Black Trade Unionists-St. Louis
- John Gaskin, III- Member, NAACP National Board of Directors-St. Louis
- Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Executive Director, Faith Voices-Jefferson City
- Esther Haywood, Former Missouri State Representative-St. Louis
- Lee Hogue, Criminal Justice Advocate-Jefferson City
- Attorney Pamela Meanes, Partner, Thompson Coburn Law Firm, President, National Bar Association-St. Louis
- Celeste Metcalf, Former Director of Equal Opportunity, Missouri Office of Administration-St. Louis
- Mary Ratliff, Former President, Missouri NAACP State Conference of Branches- Columbia
- Anita Russell, Member, NAACP National Board of Directors-Kansas City
- Gretchen Woods, Youth Advocate-Holt’s Summit
- Brent Vanconia, Regional President, SSM Health – Jefferson City
