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LAPLACE — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established in St. John the Baptist Parish in 1940 and led by Edward Hall. The National Association has existed for 111 years, and its origins trace back to 1909- New York.

The former presidents of the NAACP branch 6077 of St. John the Baptist Parish are: Edward Hall, George Clark, Dale Wolfe, Michael Carter, Leonard Triplett, Robert Taylor II. Shondrell Perrilloux has been elected as the first black woman president of St. John the Baptist Parish Branch 6077. As president, Perrilloux is most passionate about the economic advancement of the disadvantaged and under privileged persons.

“My ambition, passion and strong character has allowed me to be successful because I live strongly by the motto: ‘I can do all things through the Creator who created me,’” Perrilloux said.

Branch 6077 has a rich history within St. John the Baptist Parish. Today, the NAACP advocates for equality in six core areas: economic sustainability, high quality public education for all, access to high quality healthcare, equal treatment in the criminal justice system; voting rights/political representation and expanding youth and young adult engagement. The NAACP is not just for African Americans, according to Perrilloux. She said it’s for all persons of color that deal with any inequality. The goal is to provide equal opportunities for people in the community, regardless of race. As of Feb. 15, 2020, the local branch had more than 75 active members.

Branch 6077 has a primary focus to hold local government accountable to ensure that the residents of St. John the Baptist Parish are given an equal and fair economic opportunity. The group intends to uphold the core mission of the NAACP. As a result of a recently discovered public schools matter, the branch’s legal redress committee intends to launch a full investigation into the termination by the School Board Legal representation of a local law firm. It intends to have the public open meeting law enforced and properly applied within Parish Council meetings and the Parish Public School Board meetings. The group also intends to have the procedure changed for public comments to be placed after each presentation of matters requiring a vote by the School Board and the Parish Council. This method would allow the residents to make intelligent comments on the subject matter, Perrilloux said. “Currently, the public comments are held before the agenda item being presented,” she said. “It would also allow the elected officers to vote at the best interest and will of the public making such comments. It’s a great disadvantage and useless method to hold public comments ahead of presentations because the public won’t benefit speaking prior to presentation because of lack of full understanding of matter at hand.”

Branch 6077 is planning to create a Legal Defense fund to assist in law matters within the branch. It will be one of very few in the State of Louisiana.

Branch 6077 of the NAACP looks forward to moving St. John Parish forward by being a voice for the voiceless.