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NAACP Providence Branch now under the control of the NAACP national office. It only took 4 years.
At a May 10th meeting of the NAACP Greater Providence Branch, new rules, regulations and staffing were announced for the group recognized for over 100 years of service in Rhode Island – as the local branch is now under control of the national NAACP organization based in Washington, DC.
It only took 4 years to try to save the local branch which was failing on all cylinders. Concerned members of the group and the community had reached out to the national office – usually without the courtesy of a response. Concerns were on elections, new leadership, dues issues, lack of board management, protocols in ZOOM and in-person meetings, and in program dwindling.
In the May meeting the national NAACP stepped out with what could only sound as a better late than never response to those critically involved – “the national office has been paying attention to the Providence Branch and is committed to ensuring the Branch has what it needs to carry out its mission”.
National steps in
An action step already known to most was the removal of Gerard Catala as President on April 2nd, and Nicole Tingle, 1st VP, becoming President of the Providence Branch.
But the announcements went far beyond that on May 10th.
We learned that on March 5, 2025, the Providence branch was placed under “administratorship” by the National NAACP, by vote action of the national board of directors – and that Tanisha Sullivan, New England Area Conference (NEAC) President, and former president of the Boston Branch, will now serve as Administrator.
Regina Clement, a member of the Providence branch, is the state Director for Rhode Island, serving on the NEAC executive committee, and will be “the voice of Rhode Island on the committee”, keeping the State conference up-to-date on Rhode Island issues. Clement will serve as Tanisha Sullivan’s designee to restore faith and trust in the branch, and will have the final authority to ensure decisions align with the NAACP’s Constitution and bylaws.
Notably, the State conference has jurisdiction for all matters related to the NAACP at the
state level and listed new rules for the Providence Branch:
There were extensive financial management regulations announced, and the need to recruit both a secretary and a treasurer, how bills were to be approved and paid, the process of membership dues to be paid through the DC office, and new bank relationships and a 3 signature card process.
The process resembles starting a non-profit from the beginning. An approach that may go a long way to restoring confidence, albeit late in the process. The May meeting was held “without press”, specifically noted. Transparency and full disclosure to the public, all publics, may be a next good step.
Tanisha Sullivan’s new role was clearly defined with the branch as Administrator:
The trials and tribulations of the NAACP began at least four years ago. A national takeover can be seen as disturbing, it can also be seen as hopeful for the future. Many Black leaders, and people of all races in Rhode Island were dedicated to the mission of the NAACP: “to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.” Add this to a well-stated vision “as an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination”.
Rhode Islanders will be watching the transformation of the NAACP Providence Branch and restoration of its reputation built over its past 100 years in the state. The NAACP Providence Branch has been in existence for over a century, with its formation dating back to the winter of 1913–1914. This makes it one of the earliest branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which was founded nationally in 1909.
RINewsToday’s last story on the NAACP, in 2023: