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.
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Message from the President
Celebrating Black Excellence: ACT-SO Youth Shine Bright!
I beam with pride when young people excel—especially our brilliant Black youth! Their achievements inspire and remind us all of the greatness that lies within our community.
A Day of Excellence
On Saturday, April 19, 2025, 15 outstanding high school students lit up the stage at the local ACT-SO competition held at West Middle School. These gifted scholars and artists competed in disciplines ranging from STEM and Humanities to Visual and Performing Arts—showcasing the full spectrum of Black brilliance.
About ACT-SO
Founded in 1978 by journalist Vernon Jarrett, the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) was created to recognize the academic and creative excellence of Black youth. Jarrett believed that our young people deserve the same acclaim for their intellectual achievements as they receive in sports—and ACT-SO has upheld that mission for nearly five decades.
Competition Categories
STEM
- Earth & Space Sciences
- Chemistry/Biochemistry
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
HUMANITIES
- Poetry – Written
- Short Story
VISUAL ARTS
- Drawing
- Painting
- Photography
PERFORMANCE ARTS
- Dance – Ballet
- Dance - Contemporary
- Dance - Modern
- Dramatics
- Musical Instrument – Classical
- Poetry – Performance
2025 Local Competition Results
11 Gold • 3 Silver • 3 Bronze
We are proud to congratulate all participants—and especially honor the following winners:
STEM
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Earth & Space Sciences – Gold - Sonia Warrick, Senior, Oliver Ames High School
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Mathematics – Gold - Ryan Denny, Junior, Milton High School
Humanities
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Poetry – Written – Gold - Faith Kiuna, Senior, Lowell High School
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Poetry – Written – Silver - Adriana D’Haiti, Junior, Brockton High School
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Poetry – Written – Bronze - Faridat Biodun Lawal, Junior, Brockton High School
Visual Arts
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Drawing – Gold - Adriana D’Haiti, Junior, Brockton High School
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Painting – Gold - Adriana D’Haiti, Junior, Brockton High School
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Photography – Gold - Casey Rhodes, Junior, Brockton High School
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Photography – Bronze - Joel Nunoo, Senior, Brockton High School
Performance Arts
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Dance - Ballet - Gold - Leah Pires, Senior, Boston Arts Academy
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Dance – Contemporary – Gold - Brooklynn Masso, Senior, Boston Latin Academy
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Dramatics – Gold - Brooklynn Masso, Senior, Boston Latin Academy
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Dance - Modern - Gold - Leah Pires, Senior, Boston Arts Academy
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Poetry – Performance – Gold - Preston Ntoro, Freshman, Lowell High School
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Poetry – Performance – Silver - Anisha Jordan, Sophomore, Lowell High School
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Poetry – Performance – Bronze - Faith Kiuna, Sophomore, Lowell High School
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Musical Instrument (Classical) – Silver Roy Rattler III, Junior, Brockton High School
Awards & Recognition
All participants received:
- Certificate of Appreciation (per category)
- ACT-SO t-shirt
- ACT-SO notebook and pen set
Medalists received gift cards:
- Gold – $100
- Silver – $50
- Bronze – $25
Gold Medal winners will advance to the National ACT-SO Competition in Charlotte, NC, July 9–13, 2025. All expenses are paid.
A Final Word
To our ACT-SO participants—you are Black Excellence in action. You have made us proud and inspired your community.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to the students, parents, mentors, judges, volunteers, and West Middle School for your dedication and support. This success belongs to all of us
A special Thank You to Brent Gossett, Director, ACT-SO Competitions and Practices, who traveled from Baltimore to observe our local ACT-SO Competition.
Phyllis Ellis
President and ACTSO Chair
photos by Janet Trask
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ACTSO IS A STEPPINGSTONE TO GREATNESS!
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| April 17, 2025
In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, Brockton NAACP Education Committee proudly partnered with Brockton High School’s Special Education Department for a meaningful Autism Awareness Initiative. Together, we supported special education students and their families by assembling and donating autism awareness goody bags filled with sensory items and a curated resource list for parents.”
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Coming in May
The NAACP Education Committee is excited to announce several impactful initiatives this spring:
Starting in May, the Education Committee will launch a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Literacy Program in partnership with Brockton Public Elementary Schools. Each month committee members will read books that highlight DEI themes promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and meaningful dialogue among young learners. This initiative reflects the education committee commitment to nurturing inclusive education from an early age.
The Education Committee is proud to offer three $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of color residing in Brockton, Easton, Avon, Middleton, Taunton, Bridgewater, or Attleboro. This year, we received a strong and inspiring pool of applicants, and the committee has been diligently reviewing each submission. We are deeply moved by the academic excellence, leadership, and resilience reflected in their stories. The selected recipients will be honored at a special award ceremony on May 12th, as we celebrate their achievements and invest in their continued success.
Vanessa Nascimento-Oli
Chair, Education Committee
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2025 Champions Fighting Cancer Walk - May 4
The NAACP Brockton WIN Committee is pleased to join this fight on May 4, 2025 at Brockton High School at 8AM.
This year is extra special as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of walking together in the fight against cancer. Whether this is your first walk or you're a returning champion, your commitment means everything—to us, and to the patients and families who benefit from every dollar raised.
This year’s goal? $300,000 to support critical cancer care and services in our community. With just a few weeks left, we need your help to get there!
Funds raised support patients at the Greene Cancer Center and our partner organizations through the Chrystine M. Sullivan Memorial Foundation. Every step and every donation matters.
SUNDAY, MAY 4th
8:00 – 10:00 am
• Registration at Brockton High School Red Cafeteria (470 Forest Ave. Brockton, MA). Enjoy music, take pictures and start walking!
• The 4.5 mile walk begins at Brockton High School and ends at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital (680 Centre St. Brockton, MA).
• Plenty of free parking at Brockton High School.
Alternate Shorter Walk 10:00 am
• Shuttle bus leaves at 10:00 am sharp from Brockton High School to City Hall for 1.5 mile walk to Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.
Along the Walk - Restroom and Water Stops
• 1 restroom/water stop at Old Colony YMCA (Main Street)
• 3 water stops at West Middle School (West Street), Boys and Girls Club of Metro South Brockton Clubhouse (Warren Ave), and East Middle School (Centre Street)
Finish Line Finale
• Complimentary food, live music by The Midnight Society, Health Fair and fun for participants of all ages at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.
• Raffle tickets and CFCW merchandise will be available for purchase. Cash, credit card, and Venmo accepted!
• Shuttles will take walkers back to their cars at Brockton High School from Brockton Hospital.
Organized by Signature Healthcare. For additional information please contact VFlynn@signature-healthcare.org
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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
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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;
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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.
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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