Melissa Mace plans to build NAACP Spokane as staffed operation

 

By Catherine Ferguson, SNJM

As the first paid executive director of the NAACP Spokane Branch, Melissa Mace plans for the sustainable transformation from all-volunteer to a staffed organization, including hiring a program coordinator and establishing full-time internships in collaboration with local colleges and universities.

She is particularly drawn by the opportunity to support the recently established Youth Council that includes 25 or more youth and young adults who are 25 years old and younger.

"The branch has that many youth now," she explained, "and they are committed to change and forwarding the movement. They are out there doing things. I am excited to have the opportunity to participate in this."

In July, the NAACP Spokane Branch announced that it chose Melissa, whose Air Force veteran father settled in Spokane. She is also the granddaughter of a community organizing leader who worked with the NAACP in Indiana.

An alum of Eastern Washington University, she has a doctorate in social work from Walla Walla University.

In 2009, she founded the Discovery Counseling Group as a sole proprietorship. It became a state licensed behavioral health agency in 2013.

Discovery Counseling is now solidly established with several clinicians and interns. Melissa will work part-time with NAACP Spokane and also continue to counsel clients.

"I love it. It's what I also am supposed to be doing," she said.

Melissa explained what drew her to the NAACP position.

"Once I had established my business and had my doctorate, I was looking for a new challenge that would meet my desire to be more involved in the community. I saw the ad for the executive director for the NAACP. I liked the pivot I saw. It would mean engaging in more community events and social justice movements to change my narrative to focus more on community."

Melissa was also drawn to the position when she realized that NAACP Spokane was not just doing general meetings but was out here trying to reach the community.

"I want to be part of that!" she decided.

The NAACP Spokane Branch has been protecting and expanding rights of marginalized people since its foundation in 1919 as an all-volunteer organization.

Now, with racial tensions higher than they have been in several decades, the organization seeks to build capacity and transition from an all-volunteer model to a sustainable, staffed operation to carry out the vision of creating and maintaining equality in the world, free from racial hate and discrimination.

The Inatai Foundation provided a capacity grant to specifically fund the first paid executive director position for three years to make that desire a reality.

In taking the role, Melissa combines the legacy of her grandparents and great aunts who resisted segregation in Indiana, her skills as a counselor in relating with people and her entrepreneurial skills as the founder of Discovery Counseling.

As quoted in the Black Lens, Spokane branch NAACP president, Lisa Gardner, shared her excitement about the decision.

"I am thrilled about this major milestone for our organization as we welcome our first executive director. This important addition to the NAACP will enable us to expand our efforts and increase our impact in the community.

"Under Melissa's leadership, we are confident that we will enhance our programs, broaden our outreach and rally our community to address the urgent issues that impact us all," Lisa said.

Melissa sees her position as being in the background and providing administrative support for Lisa as president, the committee chairs and the volunteer board of 19 directors.

"Because of what I do, they will have the ability to focus on the meat of causes that are taken up through the committees: environmental justice, education—especially related to anti-racism, civic engagement, criminal justice, healthcare and the youth council," she pointed out.

Her responsibilities extend to three key areas.

1) She will collaborate with the executive committee in maintaining strong governance, overseeing budgeting and finance, organizing meetings and supporting major events. Most importantly, she will develop the internal systems and policies to ensure a sustainable transition from an all-volunteer organization.

2) She will also do the administrative tasks related to membership and fundraising, including assisting in grant writing.

3) She is tasked with managing civil rights responses to complaints and engaging with the community to strengthen relationships with funders and partner organizations and representing NAACP Spokane in coalitions, media and public events.

Above all, Melissa hopes to bring the Spokane branch of this national organization into a new era of community transformation, increasing visibility and impact with Spokane's Black community and strengthening ties across the broader region.

"Because of the name, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, I think some people get hung up on that, but the issues for the people of the global majority are the issues for everyone. The greater the WE of us are, the greater everyone is," she added. "If there are things happening to me as a Black person, and you sure don't want them to happen to you, they shouldn't be happening. I want people to see the NAACP as a place of service that shows up for them."

Melissa sees herself diving deeply into the sometimes-traumatic history of the Spokane chapter to develop a sense of community that goes beyond narratives of hurt and exclusion which, she said, "occurred when someone didn't show up in the way they wanted or as the community expected."

Meanwhile in the near term, she asserts that the most significant way to help the Spokane NAACP is to become a member, come to the membership meetings and follow them on social media.

"Reach out and hang out with us," she invited.

Melissa encourages everyone to come to the Freedom Fund Gala on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Proceeds raise funds for scholarships that provide financial assistance to local high school students pursuing higher education and support the mission to fight against discrimination and secure political, educational, social and economic equity for all.

The banquet is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the fight for civil and human rights. It is also a way to foster community and unity in the cause of justice and equity, and to celebrate Black excellence.

For information, email ed@spokanenaacp.org or visit naacpspokane.com or discovery-counseling.org