Your King County NAACP Presidential Candidate Carolyn Riley-Payne is known for helping bring others into their power, and inspiring them to recognize the limitless possibilities open to them with unshakable grace and effortless style. This attribute could not be more apparent than with her work as the Seattle King County NAACP President since April 2020. Since 1979 Carolyn has served faithfully as
a dedicated trailblazer for the African American Community. She has worked tirelessly and has positively impacted the lives of young people and her peers alike in the Greater Seattle and King County area. In these trying times the King County Community needs strong leadership, dependable structure, and resourceful inclusion across generational and cross-cultural lines. Carolyn has the experience required to do the job, and she justly considers these tasks her area of expertise. The Seattle King County Branch of the NAACP, founded in 1913, is the oldest branch west of the Mississippi River. Over the years there have been many technological advancements while Riley-Payne has been involved with the NAACP. Nevertheless, in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a completely new wave of technological exigency. Rising to the occasion, the King County NAACP showed themselves capable and willing to offer virtual NAACP access under Carolyn's leadership through events such as:
1. The COVID-19 Community Informational Meetings with Employment Officials to address unemployment claims
2. Education webinar prior to the 2020/2021 school year starting, to promote awareness and provide information regarding student and family support needs
3. The Health committee webinar to promote vital information regarding the perils of COVID-19 to community members
Carolyn exemplified superior effort in ensuring opportunities for the Seattle branch to stay connected with the community. As she was appointed the Interim President for 2020, she remained the solid voice of reason during a trying time for the Seattle King County NAACP Branch. Under her leadership she brought many together to cover the damage, while rebuilding the King County NAACP credibility within the community.
“During my time as Interim President, I have worked to strengthen the organizational infrastructure, re-establish relationships and credibility with community partners, improve internal and external communication by increasing the quality of the SKC NAACP’s FB page, newsletter and website in order to reach as many community members as possible; increased our local media presence while supporting local media such as ‘KKNW Urban Forum Northwest’ and ‘Seattle Medium’; maintained alliances with community through churches via church newsletters and ‘boots-on-the ground outreach’; and actively engaged in grassroots outreach.”
-Carolyn Riley-Payne
