Mt. Vernon NAACP

Mt. Vernon NAACP The NAACP Mt. Vernon Branch works to eliminate racial discrimination and build equity in our community through advocacy, education, and action.

We aim to partner with community leaders, organizations, and residents to ensure every voice is heard.

🚨 LESS THAN ONE HOUR LEFT! 🚨Could your home qualify for grant funding for repairs or improvements?Don’t miss today’s Pub...
07/08/2026

🚨 LESS THAN ONE HOUR LEFT! 🚨

Could your home qualify for grant funding for repairs or improvements?

Don’t miss today’s Public Hearing at Mt. Vernon City Hall. This meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the proposed homeowner rehabilitation grant program, ask questions, and share your input before decisions are made.

Whether your home needs repairs now or you simply want to understand what opportunities may become available, this is a meeting worth attending.

Location: Mt. Vernon City Hall
Time: Begins at 10 AM

Please help spread the word by sharing this post. Someone you know may benefit from this opportunity.

Somewhere along the way, accountability became something people negotiate instead of something they expect.When the pers...
07/02/2026

Somewhere along the way, accountability became something people negotiate instead of something they expect.

When the person is someone we like, we look for exceptions.

When the person wears a badge, holds an office, has a title, or belongs to our political party, we ask for grace before we ask for accountability.

When the person is someone we disagree with, accountability suddenly becomes nonnegotiable.

That is not justice. That is inconsistency.

Real accountability does not ask: “Who did it?”

It asks: “What happened?”

It does not change because of race. It does not change because of a profession. It does not change because someone was difficult, emotional, disrespectful, or unpopular.

Public servants accept a responsibility that carries a higher standard because the authority they are given is greater than that of the average citizen.

That higher standard is not a punishment. It is the foundation of public trust.

This conversation was never about choosing between supporting law enforcement or supporting accountability.

A community that truly supports law enforcement should also expect professionalism, restraint, and adherence to policy when those standards are tested the most.

If accountability only applies when everyone behaves perfectly, then accountability has no real meaning at all.

The real question is not whether we support the badge.

The real question is whether we are willing to uphold the same standard for everyone, even when it challenges our own biases.

Because principles are only principles if they remain the same, regardless of whose name is attached to the headline.

The front page says enough.Our children deserve dignity. Our community deserves accountability.The work continues….
06/30/2026

The front page says enough.

Our children deserve dignity. Our community deserves accountability.

The work continues….

This is what real change looks like.Real change takes courage. It takes patience. It takes persistence. Most importantly...
06/27/2026

This is what real change looks like.

Real change takes courage. It takes patience. It takes persistence. Most importantly, it takes action.

Brittany chose to do more than simply raise awareness. Before sharing her family’s story publicly, she exhausted every available avenue. She documented what happened, filed formal complaints, attended meetings, asked the hard questions, and remained engaged throughout the entire process. She gave the process every opportunity to work.

Through Brittany’s persistence and commitment to seeing the process through, Police Chief Robert Brands announced that juveniles will no longer be arrested unless the offense involves a violent crime or a felony, and several other significant changes aimed at improving future interactions between law enforcement and the youth of this community.

That is a major meaningful change.

To Brittany, thank you. Thank you for trusting the process, even when it wasn’t easy. Thank you for advocating for your daughters with strength, resilience, and determination. Your perseverance has helped create positive change that will benefit young people and families throughout our community for years to come! Keep it up, because you now have an abundance of community members standing with you to fight for the accountability you are seeking.

We hope this encourages others. Social media can raise awareness, but lasting change is often built by taking the necessary steps by documenting what happened, preserving evidence, filing formal complaints, attending meetings, and staying engaged throughout the process.

The Mt. Vernon NAACP is here to help you navigate those steps. If you believe your rights have been violated or discriminated against, you do not have to face it alone. We are here to help you understand the process, advocate for accountability, and walk alongside you as you seek justice through the proper channels.

Real change is possible. This community has now seen it firsthand. Let’s continue working together to build a stronger, safer, and more accountable community for everyone.

06/26/2026

The Mt. Vernon NAACP Branch stands with Brittany Laur and her family as they released the body camera footage from this incident.

Over the past several months, we have advocated for transparency, accountability, and a thorough review of the actions taken that day. We appreciate and thank Chief Robert Brands for meeting with the family, acknowledging where the department failed, and implementing meaningful policy changes, increased oversight, and additional training to better protect our youth and community moving forward. Those steps matter, and they represent progress.

However, our work does not end there.

The Internal Affairs investigation concluded that the arrests were unnecessary and sustained multiple policy violations. Despite those findings, Officer Hunter Morris, whose actions resulted in physical harm to a 13 year old child during an incident that should never have resulted in an arrest, received only a written reprimand.

The Mt. Vernon NAACP believes that level of discipline does not adequately reflect the seriousness of the conduct or the impact it had on this family and our community.

For that reason, we are calling on Officer Hunter Morris to resign from the Mt. Vernon Police Department.

This position is not a criticism of every officer or of the leadership that acknowledged these failures and implemented reforms. Accountability means recognizing positive steps while also insisting that individual actions carry appropriate consequences.

We encourage our community to watch the videos, review the facts, and stand with us in advocating for justice, accountability, and the protection of our children.

Our children deserve officers who exercise sound judgment, restraint, and professionalism. We believe our community deserves nothing less.

The NAACP Mt. Vernon Branch encourages eligible homeowners to participate in the upcoming Housing Rehabilitation Grant P...
06/23/2026

The NAACP Mt. Vernon Branch encourages eligible homeowners to participate in the upcoming Housing Rehabilitation Grant Public Hearing. Access to safe, quality housing strengthens families, neighborhoods, and our community as a whole.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
1 Person: $54,450
2 People: $62,200
3 People: $70,000
4 People: $77,750
5 People: $84,000
6 People: $90,200
7 People: $96,400
8 People: $102,650

Public Hearing
July 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Mt. Vernon City Hall

Residents who meet the income guidelines are encouraged to attend or complete an income survey to help demonstrate community need and support housing improvement efforts in Mt. Vernon.

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Due to the recent tornado tragedies affecting our community, the King City Resource Expo Job Fair has been postponed to ...
06/22/2026

Due to the recent tornado tragedies affecting our community, the King City Resource Expo Job Fair has been postponed to a later date.

Out of respect for those impacted and to ensure community efforts remain focused on recovery and support, we felt this was the best decision at this time.

A new date will be announced soon. Thank you for your understanding, continued support, and prayers for our community.

The Mt. Vernon Branch NAACP extends our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Dolores B. Shelton and S...
06/22/2026

The Mt. Vernon Branch NAACP extends our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Dolores B. Shelton and Sarita L. Kimble, who tragically lost their lives during yesterday’s tornado.

We also keep in our prayers those who were injured, displaced, or affected by the storm’s destruction.

As our community begins the recovery process, we are grateful for the first responders, volunteers, and neighbors who have stepped up to help those in need.

Please join us in keeping all affected families in your thoughts and prayers.

Today, we honor and celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, and father figures who show up, stand str...
06/21/2026

Today, we honor and celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, and father figures who show up, stand strong, and lead with love.

The presence of a father can help shape confidence, character, discipline, and hope for future generations. Black fathers, in particular, have long been a source of strength, wisdom, and resilience within our families and communities, often overcoming obstacles and challenges that many never see.

While systemic barriers, economic hardships, incarceration disparities, and generational struggles have impacted Black families for decades, we continue to believe in the power of restoration, healing, and rebuilding strong family foundations. Every father who chooses to be present, engaged, and invested in the lives of their children is helping change the future of our community.

Today, we celebrate the men who break cycles, create opportunities, lead by example, and remind our children what love, responsibility, and commitment look like.

To every father making a difference, whether through blood, adoption, mentorship, or simply showing up when it matters most, we thank you.

Strong fathers help build strong families. Strong families help build strong communities. Strong communities help build a brighter future.

Happy Father’s Day from the Mt. Vernon NAACP Branch 💙

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, check out these community events happening today, including the Juneteenth par...
06/20/2026

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, check out these community events happening today, including the Juneteenth parade, food, games, music, 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Dawson Park and the JCAAHC Gala.

The Mt. Vernon NAACP encourages everyone to come out, support local organizations, connect with the community, and celebrate freedom, resilience, culture, and community. Juneteenth is a reminder of how far we’ve come and the work that remains as we continue striving for equality and justice for all.

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Mount Vernon, IL
62864

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