Elections were held on Monday, at the local office of the NAACP from 4-8 p.m. By 9:15 p.m. all 92 ballots had been counted. With a packed room of voters filled with anticipation the results were read aloud. It was announced that Dr. Elenora Woods would remain NAACP president of the local Chattanooga-Hamilton County Branch with a total of 79 votes, while her two opponents, Quinton Coleman coming in second place with nine votes and Dr. Thomas Brooks coming in third with three votes.
Dr. Woods said with a sound victory in hand that she plans to continue to fight for justice for all disadvantaged and underserved communities. She thanked all of her supporters, congratulated the other officers and pledged to dedicate the next two years on finishing the job she started. Dr. Woods extended an olive branch to her opponents and their supporters stating that unity in the organization and the community is a critical component to achieving the missions and goals of the NAACP.
Dr. Woods stated that her focus will be centered around voter registration, voter education, financial education, economic development, equity in the school system, housing and development, ending racial disparities and ensuring opportunities for minority and African American contractors and working with elected officials to ensure that the opportunity zone funding would not leave out communities like Alton Park, Piney Woods, Eastdale, East Chattanooga, Avondale, and East Lake that have been overlooked and forgotten for too long.
Other elected officers included:
1st Vice President- George Calhoun, 2nd Vice President- Janet Harden, Third Vice President-Ann Pierre, Secretary-James Mathis, Treasurer-Gail Mathis, Assistant Treasurer-Megan Greene
Executive board elected members elected:
Jackie Bridges, Adam Cowan, Jonathon Etchison, Victoria Ford, James Gilliam(CB), Patricia Shackleford Gray, William Greene II., State Representative Elect Yusuf Hakeem, Jason Holmes, Zekeyia Lee, Terrance Neal, Sean Nix, Dwight Smith, Edna Varner, Thessela White and Charlotte Williams.
Installation of officers will be held at the Jubilee Celebration on Jan. 1, 2019.
The time and place of the Jubilee will be announced.