LEADER SEES NEW ROLE FOR NAACP

The New President Of The St. Petersburg Chapter Says Ending Substance Abuse
Will Be The Priority

ST. PETERSBURG -- As he officially took the helm of the St. Petersburg
NAACP chapter on Monday, attorney Darryl Rouson proclaimed a new era for
the organization with a focus on defeating substance abuse in the black
community, pushing for true economic development and doubling youth membership.

He also announced that the group will sponsor a black summit on the third
weekend of February. He hopes to create a blueprint for action that draws
upon the concerns of various sectors of the black community.

The NAACP won't pretend to be the single advocate of a multifaceted
community, he said, mentioning several community-based political, social
and fraternal organizations that will be invited to participate in what he
termed the NAACP's new "proactive role."

But foremost on his agenda is a matter close to his heart, he said. Putting
an end to substance abuse in the community will be the priority item for
the NAACP, said the St. Petersburg native, who has acknowledged his own
battle with cocaine addiction.

In his Emancipation Day speech accepting the leadership of the chapter,
Rouson said he was celebrating his "freedom from substance abuse." He
received rousing applause from about 200 people at Mount Zion Progressive
Baptist Church.

He said he took the challenge of seeking the NAACP presidency "not because
I was the perfect one to lead," but because he was imperfect.

Rouson takes over from Garnelle Jenkins, who led the chapter for 21 years
and will be recognized for her work when the NAACP offices on 16th Street S
are named for her.

Rouson said he will work with city officials on black business development.
The wide field of candidates vying for mayor this spring will hear from the
NAACP, he said.

"We're tired of lip service. We want true economic development and
opportunity on the south side," he said. "No more palm trees, medians and
street lamps.

"If the private and public partnerships could have produced BayWalk, then
it should be able to create a Lake Maggiore Walk."

Doubling youth membership and continuing the NAACP's traditional mission of
standing up against racism are also on his agenda, Rouson said.

He recounted the legal challenge mounted by Drs. Ralph Wimbish and Fred
Alsup four decades ago to open golf courses in Pinellas County to blacks.
He praised the work of James B. Sanderlin and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
to desegregate public schools.

"I am humbled by the contribution these men made," he said.

NAACP state conference president Adora Obi Nweze reminded the audience that
even as they observe Emancipation Day, "freedom is not free, we have to pay."

And some people, like Harry T. Moore and his wife, paid with their lives,
she said of the Brevard County couple who were assassinated by a bomb blast
to their home on Christmas 1951. The assassins have never been brought to
justice. The times and lives of the Moores are documented in a Jan. 12 PBS
show that she said is required viewing by blacks, and whites as well.

Nweze, the keynote speaker, blasted Gov. Jeb Bush for "trying to
disassemble every law that we have fought so hard to put together."

She praised the work of NAACP forerunners in St. Petersburg such as
attorney Morris Milton, "without whom we would not have single-member
(legislative) districts." Nweze said the state organization has created an
award In Milton's honor.