6 reasons why Dr. Frederick D. Haynes should be the next president of the NAACP

As early as this week, the NAACP will make a decision on who be their next president. With the organization getting ready to celebrate From what I have read, Benjamin Jealous and Alvin Brown are fine candidates for the position, yet I’m of the mind that there is one candidate that should stand as the choice of the NAACP executive board. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III should be the next president

Involvement in civil right on a local level

Some of the NAACP leaders are interested in finding leader who has “worked in the movement” Well just short investigation into Dr. Haynes ministry at Friendship-West Baptist Church will find that he has been intimately involved in the so-called movement.

There is a local instances that highlights Dr. Haynes’ leadership in the area of social justice. First is the case of Tyrone Brown. In short, a Dallas judge sentenced Mr. Brown to life in prison after testing positive for marijuana while on probation for armed robbery. Tyrone was 17 at the time.

Dr. Haynes rallied a coalition which included Mr. Brown’s family (who worked tirelessly), civic leaders -including the local NAACP, and members of the faith community to lobby the governor on Tyrone’s behalf. The effort worked, as Brown was released after serving 16 years and 10 months in prison.

And this was not a drive-by justice effort for Dr. Haynes. Soon after his release last Spring, Tyrone was offered a job at Friendship-West where he is still employed and working towards his GED.

And you can’t dismiss his involvement in the Jena 6 rally last year. 18 buses left Friendship-West headed for Jena for the historic rally, as he pulled together a coalition of local churches and Texas Supports Jena 6.   Haynes was also a speaker at the event in Jena.

Master Orator

George Curry referred to Dr. Haynes as a”high-energy, intelligent, spellbinding orator in the mold of Benjamin L. Hooks.” It was Hooks who took over the NAACP in the late 70’s after a period of decline.

There’s no doubt that Dr. Haynes’ greatest appeal is his gift for the spoken word. That gift has been the catalyst in grown Friendship-West’s membership into 5 figures.

On any given Sunday, Haynes will preach two different sermons, on two different topics without out a set of notes anywhere around. His style has been studied in various theological circles, but the delivery is more captivating than the structure.

Anyone can give a good speech, but Haynes’ sermons inspire action from people who hear his messages. And those sermons are the basis for a ministry that is much more about action than words.

Historically, the African-American community has held oratory prowess in high esteem. That tradition spans from Frederick Douglass, to Martin Luther King, to the emergence of Barack Obama. The NAACP needs a personality cut from a similar cloth that can capture the imagination of its constituency.

Leader of a National Ministry

It’s apparent to all who know Dr. Haynes that he was called for the benefit of the nation/world, and not just his local community. For two decades, Dr. Haynes has evangelized from coast to coast on a weekly basis. From Brooklyn, to Little Rock, to San Francisco and all point in between, Dr. Haynes preaches the good news throughout the land.

His extensive travels make him uniquely qualified to understanding the branch level challenges presented to a national organization like the NAACP.  He’s already visited nearly every large and medium sized city (many small ones too) who have NAACP chapters.

The question has been raised how will Haynes’ relationship with his church differ were he to be selected as the NAACP’s next leader. I’d have to think very little. Friendship-West counts it as a blessing to be able to share their pastor with fellow believers around the country. Any given week their pastor is out of town 4-5 days with preaching engagements.

I can’t see how his schedule could be that much different than that.  He has an able staff of pastors and administrators who oversee the day to day operations of the church.  His ablility to identify able leaders and delegate tasks is another talent which would benefit his NAACP tenure.

A Man of the People

Too often activists, politicians, even preachers, are far removed from the people for whom they are supposed to be advocating. Through all of his success, Dr. Haynes has kept his residence in the Southern half of Dallas which is home to many African-Americans and near the community he holds so dearly.

Another telling sign of how Dr. Haynes relates to people can be seen with how he interacts after a service. Whether it’s a Sunday night in Dallas or a Tuesday night in Jacksonville, Florida, somehow the man manages to shake the hand and talk to every well wisher who approaches him.

Dr. Haynes will translate this same person to person approach to the NAACP. He will take the NAACP from Baltimore and bring it to the people. For too long the NAACP has been more about the national organization than about its members.

Familiar with large projects

In 2006, Friendship-West moved into a $30 million “church and conference center” which resides on 60 acres of land. The sanctuary seats over 5,000 people and a commercial kitchen, computer lab are also housed in the building.

The second phase has just begun which will include a Chuck E. Cheese/Dave and Busters style entertainment center, an amphitheater for concerts, senior and single family housing, as well as a social services center. The budget of an organization like the NAACP will not scare Dr. Haynes, who has managed to sustain his church’s building project through these trying economic times.

Cultivation of talent and technology

Dr. Haynes will find a way to connect the talent that the organization already has spread throughout the country. Though the core of its members and officers are advanced in age, there are a number of branches benefiting from bright young leaders.

Branch presidents are on the front lines doing all that they can with what they have to work with. There are many branch presidents like Casey Thomas here in Dallas dare to challenge the status quo in their cities. Like Kevin Miles who is using the Wichita NAACP branch blog to disseminate pertinent information and as a new tool in the struggle for justice. Like Amber Scott, president of the NAACP chapter at Spelman College who is reaching out to young voters in this election cycle and getting them involved in process.

Dr. Haynes can use all available technologies to tear down silos that exist and make the organization much more seamless. The NAACP has thus far been light years behind in the civil rights movement that is taking place on the internet.

Haynes has already shown a willingness to embrace technology. Friendship-West’s services are currently broadcast each week on the internet. Why not his NAACP addresses and meetings?

If the group has any hopes of regaining its relevance or a place in the national consciousness, it’s imperative that they catch up to organizations such as Color of Change that have proven to be far more effective advocates in the digital age.

Dr. Frederick D. Haynes has a unique set of gifts, talents and experiences that make him the optimal choice as the next president of the NAACP. The historic organization, the African-American community at large, and the entire nation would benefit from the Executive Board bestowing this prestigious honor upon him.