Our Mission Statement: to achieve equity, political rights and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination and accelerate the wellbeing, education and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

This is Student Excellence! Gabriel Cadichon a junior at Brockton High, competed in our local ACT-SO competition on April 11. He won Gold in Poetry Written and 2 Silver medals, one in Short Story and one in Spoken Word. You can tell he is on his way to greatness!

In Gabriel's words

It is with the utmost sincerity that I extend my gratitude to the NAACP Brockton Branch and its team, comprised of the Act-So Chair, M. Phyllis Ellis, M. Sonya Pratt, M. Hannah Baptiste, to cite but a few, as well as Mr. Adrian Niles.

I had heard of Act-So during this past October but was unable to participate, or so I thought, until a few weeks ago, M. Ellis, as well as Act-So alumni, Mr. Niles, came to Brockton High and convinced a series of students like me to participate. The maximum number of categories was three, and as usual, I gave it my all in all three. Thanks to the mentorship of some of my former teachers, I revised my work by myself and submitted it.

My friends and close entourage, such as Berry Lys, Edens Alexis, Ketura Mathieu, and Saika Cherubin, helped me rehearse my spoken word poetry and get ready for the competition by helping me narrow down from my extensive catalogue as a writer. Berry counseled me to take an excerpt from my book, a work in process, titled "The Memoirs of a Migrant", and her advice earned me a Silver medal in Short Story.

Concurrently, the aforementioned helped me practice my spoken word by timing me, and they helped me win another Silver medal. At last, my gold stems from my unwavering love for both of my home countries, Haiti and the United States, which have helped me become who I am, and helped me win, as of April 11th, 2026, a gold medal with my poem called "Lwa." This text meant a lot to me as it exemplified both sides of my ancestry, the doubts constantly hold, and the voice that God placed inside of me, which fuels me at every turn to run head-on despite the fear of losing, the fear of not being enough, and the fear of not properly representing the people that helped me.

I was extremely nervous, but everyone thought I was calm and prepared. And the truth was, I was not, because no matter how much time you spend punching a wooden dummy, you’ll never be prepared enough to step into the actual ring. It is a matter of being brave enough to face your fears, but not a matter of not being afraid at all. And while I was nervous, I noticed a painting that had only a father and a son, but it reminded me of my mom as well. And so I thank them too! Despite the distance, they still teach me!

Thus, it is with extreme gratitude that I announce my admission into Nationals for the Act-So 2026 competition of the NAACP. And at last, as a teenager myself, if there is one message I would leave to my fellow teenagers is to always try, “Audentes Fortuna lauvat,” which is Latin for Fortune favors the bold. So never be afraid to be bold, whether you soar high or never even take flight, you will at least find solace in knowing you tried. Be more thankful for your losses than your wins, for they make you learn more. Be more thankful for your obstacles, for they build more of your character, but appreciate your wins as well, but you will never know the taste of either, if you Don’t try, so just try !!!



Gabriel Cadichon

Black History 365

The NAACP Brockton Area Branch continued its celebration of Black History on April 3. Black History should be celebrated 365.

Members of the Executive Committee continued the celebration at Ashfield Middle School.

First Vice President Tony Branch personified Frederick Douglass and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Secretary, Miles Jackson expertly portrayed Garrett Morgan and President Barack Obama. President Phyllis Ellis brought to life Madam C.J. Walker, Rosa Parks and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The students were actively engaged. It was an enjoyable morning. We thank Ashfield Middle School for inviting us for the second time. We look forward to next year!

We left the students with a message: If you believe it, you can achieve it!

Tony Branch

Miles Jackson

Phyllis Ellis

Garrett Morgan, portrayed by Miles Jackson

Garrett Morgan was A prolific inventor who called himself the “Black Edison,” Garrett Morgan created early versions of the traffic light and gas mask.

President Barack Obama, portrayed by Miles Jackson

Barack Hussein Obama II is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president.

Frederick Douglass, portrayed by Tony Branch

Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He was the most important leader of the movement for African-American civil rights in the 19th century.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., portrayed by Tony Branch

Martin Luther King, Jr., is known for his contributions to the American civil rights movement in the 1960s. His most famous work is his “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered in 1963, in which he spoke of his dream of a United States that is void of segregation and racism.

Madam C. J. Walker, portrayed by Phyllis Ellis

Madam C. J. Walker, was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. Walker is recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Rosa Parks, portrayed by Phyllis Ellis

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an American civil rights activist. She is best known for her 1955 refusal to move from her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in defiance of Jim Crow racial segregation laws, which sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. She is sometimes known as the "mother of the civil rights movement

Kamala Harris, portrayed by Phyllis Ellis



Kamala Devi Harris is an American politician and attorney who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. She is the first female, first African American, and first Asian American vice president, and the highest-ranking female and Asian public official in U.S. history.

Black History 365

Black History is American History!

NAACP BROCKTON TV FORUM -- Two current members of the Brockton School Committee are offering distinct perspectives on how the district should move forward, highlighting ongoing debates over school safety, budget transparency, and student support.

In recent interviews, Tony Branch, Host of the NAACP Brockton TV Forum interviewed School Committee members Stephen Pina and Sandra Maria Centeio, who discussed their priorities and approaches as the district continues to address challenges following recent years of instability.

Pina Emphasizes Discipline, Structure, and Resource Reallocation

Committee member Stephen Pina said his focus remains on strengthening school safety and ensuring that district resources are more directly aligned with classroom needs.

Pina pointed to ongoing concerns about whether funding is effectively reaching students and teachers, suggesting that portions of the budget may be misallocated. He indicated that he would support restructuring or reducing certain areas of spending to prioritize classroom impact.

A central component of his approach is implementing a consistent, district-wide discipline policy. He argued that clear expectations across schools are necessary to create safe learning environments.

Pina also raised the issue of increasing safety staffing, including consideration of additional personnel focused on maintaining order and supporting school operations.

He also addressed past controversy surrounding remarks he made years ago, stating that he has apologized for any hurt those comments may have caused.

At the governance level, he acknowledged divisions within the School Committee and stressed the need for leadership that can produce results despite disagreements.

Centeio Focuses on Mental Health, Transparency, and Collaboration

Committee member Sandra Maria Centeio emphasized a broader approach to school climate, describing safety as including physical, emotional, and environmental factors.

Centeio highlighted the importance of expanding mental health supports for students and ensuring those services are effective and accessible. She said addressing underlying student needs is critical to improving both safety and academic outcomes.

On financial matters, she called for increased transparency in how school funds are reported and understood by families. She emphasized the need for budget systems that clearly show whether resources are reaching classrooms.

Centeio also addressed the School Committee’s internal dynamics, stating that differences in opinion are expected but must be managed with professionalism to avoid disrupting progress.

Her academic priorities focus on continued recovery and long-term student success, including preparation for both college and career pathways.

Ongoing Policy Differences Within the Committee

The perspectives outlined by Pina and Centeio reflect broader discussions within the Brockton School Committee about how best to address the district’s challenges.

While both members agree on the importance of improving safety, academic performance, and accountability, they differ in how those goals should be achieved.

Pina’s approach centers on structure, discipline, and resource reallocation, while Centeio’s emphasizes student support systems, mental health, and transparency.

Looking Ahead

As the School Committee continues its work, these differing approaches are likely to shape policy discussions and decisions in the months ahead.

The direction the district takes will depend on how the committee balances these priorities while responding to the needs of students, families, and educators.



The NAACP Brockton TV Forum with our school committee members can be watched, starting Friday, May 1, 2026, at 6 PM, on Channel HD 1072. And within a week, the show will be uploaded to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@brocktonnaacptvforum.

Tony Branch, Host

1st Vice President

Tony Branch and Stephen Pina, School Committee, Ward 1

Tony Branch and Sandra Maria Centeio, School Committee, Ward 5

For disclosure, the NAACP Brockton Area Branch is non-partisan.

We welcome guests and their viewpoints on the NAACP Brockton TV Forum.

May 12, 2026, Main Library (Lingos), 6pm to 8pm

We are excited to announce our 2026 scholarship winners. Three students will each receive $1,000. Winners will also receive a one-year NAACP Brockton Youth Membership.

Join us at the library on Main Street as we congratulate and celebrate the winners of the NAACP Brockton $1000 Scholarships.

Refreshments will be served.

May 14, 2026, Shaw Center - 8:30am-10AM

The NAACP Brockton Area Branch and Family and Community Resources Inc. cordially invite you to our White Ribbon event on Thursday, May 14 at the Shaw Center starting at 8:30am.



The White Ribbon Campaign is the world’s largest male‑led movement working to end violence against women and girls. It began in November 1991 in Toronto, Canada, created by Jack Layton, Ron Sluser, and Michael Kaufman.

The campaign was formed in direct response to the 1989 École Polytechnique (Montreal) Massacre, during which shooter Marc Lépine murdered 14 women, explicitly targeting them because they were women in engineering. The event sparked nationwide reflection on misogyny and gender‑based violence.

We have as guest speakers, Brockton High School Principal Kevin McCaskill and Lt. Justin Simmons from the Abington Police Department. In addition, there will be 13 young ambassadors, one of which is a Brockton Fireman, Sebastian Charles. 

We would be pleased if you could join us.

Juneteenth Celebration - June 13 at Bridgewater State University, 1pm to 5pm

Prostate Cancer Awareness - June 18 (Virtual), 6:30pm to 8pm

Know Your Rights - Legal Redress Committee! 

Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live.

If you or someone you know experiences harassment, discrimination, or unfair treatment UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE RIGHTS and YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

🏡 Your Rights in Your Neighborhood

• You have the right to live free from racial harassment or intimidation.
• You have the right to report incidents to both local police and state civil rights agencies.
• You have the right to ask police for incident numbers, reports, and next steps.

📌 What is considered harassment?

• Racial slurs or threats
• Intimidation, stalking, or targeted surveillance
• Property damage or vandalism
  

✍️ What to do when/if something occurs:

• Write down who, what, when, and where.
• Save photos, videos, texts, voicemails, and social media posts.
• Ask neighbors or bystanders for witness statements.
• Keep a timeline of events.
  

🛠️ Contact the Police

• Ask for a written incident report.
• Request the supervisor on duty.
• Report the issue to the Massachusetts Attorney General – Civil Rights Division.
  

🤝 We are Here for You



The NAACP Brockton Area Branch & surrounding areas are committed to protecting the dignity, safety, and rights of every community member. Feel free to contact President Phyllis Ellis at presidentphyllis@naacp-brocktonbranch.org or phone us at 508.587.0502

Jayme Scott

Chair, Legal Redress Committee

The Brockton Area Branch NAACP is extremely busy. If you would like to join our organization and become a member of any of the active committees, please contact: presidentphyllis@naacp-brocktonbranch.org

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Committees

• ACT-SO - The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics mentoring program for high school students. With ACT-SO, the NAACP is providing an instrument through which African-American youth are encouraged and inspired toward excellence in academic and cultural pursuits while benefiting from the maximum support of their communities;

• The Committee on Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs shall: (1) seek to establish a working relationship with those agencies in government, national, state and local, having the responsibility in the affairs of members of the various Armed Services and Veterans and to see that the programs to which they are responsible are administered fairly and justly to members of the minority community; (2) study conditions pertaining to veterans and members of the Military Service and their dependents and/or survivors in the community; (3) serve as a center of information on matters affecting the members of the Active Military, Reserves, State National Guard and Veterans; (4) maintain a repository of materials, information and forms to be used in assisting veterans and/or dependents of veterans and military personnel with their problems; (5) receive and act on all complaints relative to acts of discrimination on account of race, color, creed, or denial of benefits to which they are entitled because of discrimination; (6) prepare a quarterly report on committee activities to be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Unit and the National Director of Armed Services and Veterans Affairs

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• Economic Development. The Committee on Economic Development shall implement local efforts and support national programs to preserve and expand economic empowerment among African-Americans and other communities of color by: (1) researching and establishing relationships with private and public entities; (2) supporting the work of the National Office in monitoring the progress and activity of private and public entities designated by national programs; and (3) implementing local efforts to promote the growth of business ownership; (4) increasing employment and job creation; and (5) encouraging business development and home ownership.

• Education - The Committee on Education shall: (1) seek to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory. practices in public education; (2) study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; (3) investigate the public school system and school zoning; (4) familiarize itself with textbook material there from which racially derogatory; (5) seek to stimulate school attendance; (6) keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found; (7) investigate the effects of standardized and high stakes testing practices; (8) teacher certification; (9) promote parental involvement in education; and (10) aim to be a center of popular education on the race question and on the work of the Association.

• Health - The Health Committee shall: (1) work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans; (2) assess the health needs of the community; (3) advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans; (4) sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and (5) support health initiatives of the Association

• Housing - The Committee on Housing shall:) (1) study housing conditions in the local community; (2) receive and seek to address complaints of discrimination; (3) oppose all restrictive practices whether public or private; and (4) disseminate information and render such other assistance which may eliminate discrimination in housing.

• Legal Redress - The Legal Redress Committee shall: (1) investigate all cases reported to it; (2) supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested; and (3) keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.

• Membership - The NAACP Membership Committee is a standing committee within each local Branch responsible for maintaining and growing membership by planning annual campaigns, soliciting new members, securing renewals, and exploring ways to obtain life memberships. This work is essential, as a strong membership base provides the nationwide footprint and financial support necessary for the NAACP to achieve its mission of racial equality and social justice.

• Political Action - The Political Action Committee shall: (1) seek to increase registration and voting; (2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups; (3) seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation; (4) work to improve the administration of justice; (5) work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and (6) keep the National Office and the Unit informed of all proposed legislation which affects minority groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office



• WIN (Women in NAACP) WIN shall address within the framework of the NAACP, civil rights issues affecting women and children and shall carry out other civil and cultural activities to enhance membership and provide financial support to the Branch. The purpose WIN is (1) to enhance the leadership role of women; (2) to serve as an advocacy vehicle to address the social, economic, political, educational, health and welfare issues affecting women; (3) to advocate for the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual development of children and (4) to support the policies as well as the on-going mission and vision of the NAACP. 

Brockton Area Branch NAACP

PO Box 1535

Brockton, MA 02303

(781) 807-1092