Tag Archives: NAACP

Cookeville Putnam County NAACP First Vice President Johnnie Wheeler honored by the state organization for her contributions to the community. Wheeler received the Women In NAACP Of The Year Award. The award recognizes women who are making significant contributions to their community through volunteering, charity work, and being an advocate for the NAACP. Wheeler said she is glad somebody recognized ... Read More »

This weekend’s Second Annual Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant offers educational funding and skill development for future leaders. Director Johnnie Wheeler said she was excited that the pageant was adding two more classes this year to give opportunities and experience to more young women. Wheeler said the scholarship pageant focuses more on character than appearance. “And to encourage our youth to take ... Read More »

Cookeville-Putnam NAACP will host a prayer vigil this Saturday at McClellan Avenue Church of Christ. The Executive Committee said it feels this is necessary due to the unrest and unwelcome presence of Neo-Nazis and other white supremacists in the community, specifically the West End Park area. The committee said it wants to come together to pray and gather strength from one ... Read More »

Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP planning its celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 16th. Branch President Tom Savage said the keynote speaker will be Gloria Sweet-Love, President of the Tennessee State Conference NAACP. He said they also plan on serving a hearty breakfast at the Algood United Methodist Church to help people begin the day in the right way. ... Read More »

Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP has elected its newest officers to serve for the 2022-2024 term. Tom Savage was re-elected as the Branch President. Johnnie Wheeler will serve as the First-Vice President and Jack McMurry will serve as the Second-Vice President. The following positions were elected as follows: Third Vice President-Walter Buck Fourth Vice President-Ruth Ventrice Treasurer-Geeta McMillan Assistant Treasurer-Linda Irby Secretary-Monica ... Read More »

Cookeville-Putnam County’s NAACP will be knocking on doors in the West End neighborhood Saturday to help people get registered to vote. Branch President Tom Savage said it should be easy to vote and to register to vote in America, particularly for African Americans and other people of color. He said because it’s only been about 60 years since African Americans ... Read More »

It is a time of great challenge. Keynote speaker Pastor David Meek from the historically Black Cookeville church McClellan Avenue Church of Christ urged community members to fight on during Monday’s MLK Breakfast. “We must find ways to get around and over those barriers,” Meek said. “We must press forward. We must write letters to our Congress. Testify before Congress ... Read More »

The Cookeville/Putnam County NAACP chapter will recognize Livingston Mayor Curtis Hayes with the Diversity Award Saturday. Hayes said being honored by the association is a humbling experience. “Diversity is obviously very very important, and I’m very honored to have this award,” Hayes said. “I never thought in a million years that I would ever be receiving a NAACP award, but ... Read More »

The Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP is hitting the streets to celebrate the life of U.S. Representative John Lewis and the right to vote. President Thomas Savage said Cookeville will be joining 180 other U.S. cities on May 8 at 1:00 PM. He said participants will use their vehicles in a votercade across Cookeville, starting at the Leslie Town Centre. “Holding on ... Read More »

Many of the faces for the Black Lives Matter movement are from a younger generation. Most of the protesters are also not one particular color. Putnam County NAACP President Thomas Savage said diversity through this movement is its strongest ally. “This group of people are front and center,” Savage said. “Their diversity is their strength. Their diversity where they have ... Read More »