ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People named John Bowman as the organization's president on Friday.
Bowman was initially tapped to step into an interim role to lead the chapter back in April, after the national NAACP chapter removed John Gaskin III from his role as president.
The national organization wrote a letter, calling for Gaskin's suspension after he made public comments in support of Title IX legislation the NAACP felt would make it more difficult for Missouri college students to report sexual assaults. He also worked as a paid consultant for Better Together, a proposal to merge St. Louis City and County, without notifying the organization.
Bowman admits there have been challenges over the last six months, but he said his focus now is on moving forward and rekindling the values that started the NAACP and created its legacy.
"I had to make it clear that I would be extremely transparent and all-inclusive," Bowman said. "I think we are on the right track. We've put together a lot of reorganizing efforts. The members are excited. We put together a long-term strategy, and now it's just about implementing it."
Bowman said there are a number of issues the organization will work to address like housing discrimination, voter registration and education, healthcare needs, making sure residents are included in the 2020 census and unifying communities to work against crime.
However, he said there is one area at the top of his list.
"Criminal justice reform is my top priority," Bowman said.
Bowman said there are too many instances where residents in the county do not feel safe when it comes to interacting with law enforcement officers.
"We have to figure out a way to get that trust and community policing back to where it should be as opposed to military-style policing and over-policing," Bowman said.
Last week, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page made changes to the commission that oversees the police department. Bowman said that is a step in the right direction.
"Those are moves that will send the signal that there is some effort of sincerity," Bowman said.
Bowman said he has worked with Page in the past and said he is "excited" for the opportunity of what's ahead when it comes to working with county leadership.
Recruiting and working with young residents is another priority on Bowman's list. He said he hopes to collaborate fresh ideas and perspectives with the wisdom and experience of the organization. Currently, there are about 500 paid members. However, Bowman said there are about 1,000 who are inactive who he would like to see get involved.
The organization is also hoping for at least 300 new members between the ages of 18 and 35. To help recruit younger members the chapter is using donor contributions to cover the first year membership fee for new members who fall in that age range.
You can register as a new member here and use the code "newmember" for a waived fee.
