YORK COUNTY - As a variety of current events and issues keep race at the forefront of America's agenda, NAACP Seacoast continues its 50-year history of reaching out to everyone interested in a truly united nation.

The mission and vision of the national NAACP, with a nearly century-long history, is a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.

"When you join the NAACP, you are joining with others to work together toward our Association's ultimate goal, which is to establish equal rights for Americans of all races and creeds in respect to security of the person's voting, education, employment, treatment in the courts and public housing accommodations," explained NAACP Seacoast President Fred Ross.

Membership in the organization is open to everyone for a nominal annual membership fee. Meetings are held the first Monday of the month, or on the second Monday, in the event of a holiday, on the third floor of 1 New Hampshire Avenue at the Pease International Tradeport and all are welcome to attend.

The next regular monthly meeting of NAACP Seacoast, based in Portsmouth, N.H., will be held July 7, at 7 p.m. The meeting site may be reached by using the main entrance to Pease International Tradeport. The building, located at 1 New Hampshire Ave., is on the left and has a blue roof. Meetings are held in the room directly across from the elevator on the third floor.

Back in 1958, the Seacoast branch of the NAACP received its charter at what was then People's Baptist Church in Portsmouth, N.H., during the community's annual Emancipation Proclamation Celebration. This event occurred just a few weeks after passage of a U.S. Civil Rights Act created a commission to investigate discrimination and disfranchisement in the individual states.

During its half-century history, NAACP Seacoast has focused on education and has been engaged in mediating racial conflicts in area school systems, and addressing employment issues and prisoner rights. The branch also has been involved in community dialogues with area police departments and has established strong collaborative relationships with many community civic, religious, and cultural organizations, including the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail and the Seacoast African American Cultural Center.

More information about Seacoast NAACP and its activities may be obtained by contacting Ross at (603) 749-6362 or naacpnhseacoast@aol.com, or visiting www.seacoastnaacp.com