NAACP to host inauguration event in Dothan

Alabama NAACP leaders will mark the beginning of a new era in American politics later this month, with their own inaugural ball in Dothan.

The ball, which will see the installation of new officers for the Alabama chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is being held in conjunction with the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

“The interest in unbelievable,” said NAACP President Edward Vaughn. “We are getting calls from reporters from all over the world. One recently came in from the BBC. Everyone knows Alabama’s role in the civil rights movement.”

The local celebration of the inauguration of the 44th president is at 7 p.m. at the Dothan Convention Center, 4106 Ross Clark Circle. The black-tie event is open to the public. Banquet style seating is $50 per person; theatre seating is $10 per person.

The convention center can accommodate about 500 people. Vaughn expects between 300 to 500 to travel to Dothan for the event.

Each guest will receive an autographed photograph of Obama, and a message from the president may be delivered to the convention.

Vaughn said the swearing in of America’s first black president has brought a lot of excitement for all ages and races, not just within the ranks of the NAACP.

“For many of us, it is almost like a dream come true. There are those of us who were so heavily involved in his camp and in the civil rights movement, and there is a direct correlation between the two,” he said.

“There is unbelievable emotion – from kids who were not even born during the struggles and for those of us, like me, who were in the midst of it.”

Nearly five years before the official start of the Civil Rights Movement in America, Vaughn led a demonstration to oust the former city schools superintendent after several black teachers had been fired at Carver High School.

“We shut the school down for several weeks and demonstrated downtown,” Vaughn recalled.

Obama’s election more than 50 years later has ignited young people, Vaughn said, as youth and college chapters of the NAACP were heavily involved in the election.

“What we were finding, young people who had never voted in their life – black and white – turned out in this election,” he said. “We are seeing young people who have been inspired by Obama’s election.”

Tickets for most inaugural events are hard to come by, as the nation’s capital expects to play host to upwards of 2 million people in 19 days. Vaughn said having a local celebration makes good sense for those who cannot or do not want to travel.

“This is a way to celebrate at home with a home-grown ball,” he said.

Entertainment for the even includes Motown artist Kim Weston, who recorded “It Takes Two” with Marvin Gaye, and Melissa, a singer from Atlanta. Miss Indian Alabama 2009 Charmin Richardson will be there, as will Miss Indian Alabama 2008 Mikayla Snow.

Ticket information: http://www.naacpalabamastateconference.org
(334) 714-4128; or purchase at Orees Gifts, 312 Columbia Highway, Dothan.