In 1965, the Campbell County Branch NAACP was organized at Mt. Peeler Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia. The first elected officers were Theodore Burton, President; James Franklin, Vice President; Marion Rose, Secretary; Edwin Elliott, Treasurer; Susie Megginson, Membership Chairman; and Randolph Megginson, Chaplain. Other members of the Membership Committee included: Ada Lewis, Margie Nelson, and Sara Hood. These officers were installed on November 14, 1965 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Monthly meetings were held at local churches and later at the Christian Endeavor Society, Long Mountain Masonic Lodge #204 in Concord, and Long Mountain Baptist Church in Concord. In 1993, First St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Rustburg extended an invitation for the chapter to meet.
Vice President James Franklin became President in 1975 and served until 1989. He encouraged others and concentrated on quality in the workforce, minority representation in the local government, and obtaining black history materials for the schools in Campbell County. He was also named Present Emeritus.
From 1989-1992, Rev. Hyrum Payne served as President. During his tenure, this Branch continued to be concerned about equitable hiring practices of the State's Constitutional offices. Efforts on behalf of the State Legislators and Rev. Payne, with the support of the NAACP, resulted in the passing of House Bill 18921 that resulted in the leadership of Willie Thornhill, Political Action Chairperson. The purpose of this plan was to ensure minority re-appointment of Congressional state and local election districts. The NAACP was successful in its attempts to obtain two at-large seats that were added to the School Board. At that time, Andrew Prophett and Teresa Hood were selected. As president, Rev. Payne began the tradition of recognizing members and citizens of the community for their contributions to the people of Campbell County. During the annual Freedom Fund Banquet, awards were given to these people, a tradition that is continued today.
Andrew Prophett was installed as President in 1993 and served until 2001. His goal was to increase membership to 1,000, encouraging membership drives throughout the year. He was instrumental in recognizing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a holiday for the Campbell County Schools, which was implemented in January 1994.
Since 1999, the Campbell County Public Libraries have joined with the NAACP in celebrating Dr. King's birthday with special exhibits and children submitting essays of Dr. King's legacy, which are presented at the annual MLK, Jr. Program in January. The MLK Mass Choir was organized in 1999 with Portia Brown as leader.
This program, held at Rustburg High School, has grown in attendance since that time to over 500 people in 2010. The mass choir with 80+ members is currently led by Everett Younger and Minister Brenda Yuille. The first Youth Council was also started under Prophett's leadership in 1996 with Bonnie Brooks, Carol Read, Debra Herndon, and Melissa Yuille as Advisors. Kelvin Fore and Preteasta Barksdale serve as current advisors.
In 1994, local citizens brought to the Campbell County NAACP's attention the ongoing vandalism of the Campbell County Training School Historical Marker erected at Rustburg High School's entrance. A local coalition with churches, organizations, and individuals was formed. A "protest march" was held in Rustburg on Village Highway. The marker was restored to its rightful place with a celebration during the special program by the NAACP.
In 1997, under Mr. Prophett's leadership, the first Scholarship Fund was developed with Dorothy Carter as chairperson. There were two $500 scholarships awarded to two college bound seniors in the spring.
After the sudden passing of Mr. Prophett in December 2001, Rev. Ceasor T. Johnson was immediately elected to the office of President. He served until 2008 and was involved at the local, state, and national levels of NAACP. Rev. Johnson initiated the process of chartering the Youth Council. Also under the leadership, the Freedom Fighter Award was developed in 2002 to honor NAACP members for outstanding community service. He also addressed the issues of the AIDS epidemic in Campbell County and breast cancer awareness.
Reginald Herndon was elected president in 2008. Under his leadership, the following accomplishments include: Executive Board Member and Legal Redress Chairperson Matthew Herndon was this Branch's first member to be eletced president of the Area Nine NAACP which is composed of surrounding area NAACP Branches, including Roanoke; Silver Life subscribing memberships have increased; July 19, 2009 the National NAACP Board of Directors approved to charter the Campbell County Youth Council; and reinstated the "Annual President's Award."
This Branch's ongoing goals and objectives include: provide scholarships for high school seniors in an accredited college; increase registration and voting; increase membership in this Branch and the Youth Council; help to implement and support programs that address the needs of the vulnerable; assure diversity within the community services of Campbell County; and continue to combat injustice.
Since 1965 until today, several people, including many local churches played key roles in the success of the Campbell County Branch NAACP. It is impossible to name them all in this space. There are some who are deceased or inactive due to poor health or advanced age and that support is greatly appreciated. The NAACP strives to be a vital instrument of change in Campbell County. As long as injustice is in this county, the need for the Campbell County Branch NAACP is crucial.
Campbell County contained the second largest quantity, 16, of the Rosenwald Schools of any Virginia County. "The Rosenwald Project Committee" was formed to save the five buildings, four of which are historic, formerly known as the Campbell County Training School.