5 REASONS TO JOIN THE NAACP ON CAMPUS

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, better known as the NAACP, is an organization devoted to helping people of color. Founded during the days when African Americans had few opportunities, it helped them go to college and find resources. Joining the organization on your own college campus has some great benefits.

Benefits of Membership

• Activism
• Scholarships
• Magazine Subscription
• Exclusive Invites
• College Resources

1. Become an Activist

One benefit to becoming a member is that you can become an activist and help others in need. According to the NAACP, the water crisis in Flint, Michigan is of top priority. Flint is home to a large population of African American residents and began experiencing water problems in the 2010s. It would cost more to replace all the poor plumbing in the city than it would cost to move the entire city. The organization gives its members the chance to work on community projects and help others. You might hand out bottled water or raise money for a worthy cause.

2. Get Financial Help

Paying for college is very expensive. As the organization founded on the idea that African Americans deserved more rights and opportunities than they had at the time, it looks for ways to increase those opportunities. As a member, you can apply for one of the scholarships that the organization offers each year. Many of these financial scholarships are only available to members. You can use your campus branch to find out more about those programs, including the deadline and what you need to do when applying.

Resource: 50 Most Affordable Historically Black Colleges in the U.S.

3. Read Magazines

The Crisis Magazine, also called The Crisis, is a magazine that the organization established in 1910. Though the issues were originally in black and white, the magazine now includes color photos. All the ads in each issue come from companies and organizations that help African Americans lead better lives. Members receive a free subscription to the magazine and can have issues mailed right to their college dorm rooms or apartments.

4. Check Out Events

Another reason to join your campus branch is because it lets you check out exclusive events that are only open to members. The organization holds an annual conference that is open to both professional members as well as college students. This conference lets you meet professionals working in the same field or industry that you hope to work in, attend meet and greets with students from across the country and go to lectures to listen to professionals speak. You'll also have the chance to attend some local events. These events can include networking events with alumni and professional members living in your city as well as events that help you write your resume and learn about job openings.

5. Find Other Students

When you join the Youth & College division of this organization, which is open to college and high school students, you can find other students who share the same interests as you as well as those who come from a similar background. This lets you find peers in your degree program who can help you prepare for upcoming tests and share information with in between classes. You can even mentor the next generation of college students and help those still in high school check out schools and apply to colleges.

The organization also has a college resource guide that lists and ranks the top colleges in America, and this list includes the only historically all black colleges in the country. Becoming a member of the NAACP is easy because you can sign up online as a student and then find your local branch.