Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued the oath of office for Rev. Dr. Anthony’s 17th term with the NAACP Detroit chapter during an installation ceremony on January 26.
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony was honored at the 2021-2022 installation ceremony on January 26 as he was re-installed as the president of the Detroit chapter of the NAACP.
The virtual ceremony marked Rev. Dr. Anthony’s 17th installment and 28th year as president of the Detroit NAACP, the largest chapter in the country.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued the oath of office for Rev. Dr. Anthony’s 17th term and spoke about Rev. Anthony’s fervor for Detroit and for bringing justice, especially during these perilous times, for everyone.
“It’s a solemn duty that is so important,” Whitmer said adding that Dr. Anthony’s decades-long service to the community is a major asset to the NAACP community and beyond.
“People are seeing racial disparities,” Whitmer said adding that the COVID-19 virus has attacked the nation at all sides and “especially in the Black communities.”
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said during the event it is a “unique time” for the world and nation with the global pandemic raging amidst the backdrop of the former presidential administration that didn’t issue an appropriate response.
He added that this is also a time for the NAACP, its legacy, and the future to continue advocating and “speak for those who cannot.”
“I celebrate the leadership of Rev. Anthony,” Johnson said. “Because of you and so many others, we are in this moment; a transitional moment.”
He added that democracy and equity are possible for “our communities” and he thanked Dr. Anthony for “making the NAACP what it needs to be.”
During the ceremony, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also gave congratulatory remarks to those newly installed and reinstalled.
“While some of you are new to the positions I know you are not new to the cause … I thank you for your work and I look forward to standing beside you in the year ahead,” Duggan said.
Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Stephens, second row, left, swears in NAACP members to their new post during an installation ceremony for the incoming 2021-2022 Detroit Branch NAACP Officers and Executive Committee.
Yvonne White, assistant treasurer, National Board of Directors for the NAACP, said that Dr. Anthony has put in good work during his nearly three-decade span.
“It is indeed a historical moment. We have witnessed many things over the last couple of weeks but I am so pleased to be a part of this very exciting time in the history of the Detroit branch,” she said, adding that she commends Dr. Anthony and the great officers and executive committee members who are coming into office this coming term and for those who have been “working in the vineyards” for many years doing the work of the NAACP.
“We don’t take this lightly,” she said. “This is indeed an honor. I commend all of you for the work you are doing. … We all know that service is the price we pay for the space we occupy. …I am pleased to be a part of this event this evening and join you and witness history in its making. … Keep up the good job and remember that the NAACP is the only association that we as a Black and brown community have (to) fight this fight we are fighting in the struggles of the Civil Rights movement.”
Watch the full ceremony here.
For more information visit https://www.detroitnaacp.org/.
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