DARLENE SIMPSON-RIDDICK – PRESIDENT NAACP ALLENTOWN - LEHIGH
Darlene Simpson-Riddick - I am an Allentown native who has been employed by Extended Family Care since 2006. I initially held the role as Patient Care Advocate and was promoted to Human Resources Coordinator in 2015. My role involves administrative tasks related to hiring, developing, and managing employees who provide care to special needs pediatric patients as well as the disabled adult and senior population in the Lehigh Valley. I am responsible for maintaining employee records in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations, and am on the front line of recruiting qualified candidates interested in a career in the health care industry. I conduct job fairs, orientations and handle employee’s inquiries to ensure quality care for patients and employee safety and satisfaction.
My father, the late Blascelle E. “Sonny” Simpson, was the former Caboose co-owner, a popular black-owned jazz and blues nightclub, bar and restaurant. He was also a Korean War Veteran, having proudly served in the Air Force. My mother, Mariah Simpson, was elected to the Democratic Committee in Allentown. The influence of my parents inspired me at a young age to become actively involved in the community. In 1980-1982, I was a founding member of the community group “CHAMVOLA”, which promoted a safe environment for teenagers to congregate and openly discuss topics such as goals, faith, and our future. That same year, I met Mr. Richard Burton, who was the President of the Allentown NAACP at that time. As the years when on, I found ways to integrate my family life, professional life, and community life. I have cared for over 50 high risk teenage girls diagnosed with borderline personality, bipolar and some with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. I am a special education advocate who works on behalf of students and their families to help them obtain special education services.
On many occasions, I have given public speeches on the persistent challenges and social interaction of autism. This is a topic I identify with, as I am the proud mother of an adult son with autism. In addition to these activities, I organize and assists in local family food drives. I am married to Calvin Riddick and we have two children, Sterling and Mariah.
My goal is to help improve, protect, and change our community. I feel that strong leadership is needed in order for important community goals to be successful. I believe being the President of this Branch is much bigger than myself alone. It is for all the past Presidents who have come before…the ones that were founding members who built this branch, including my deceased father-in-law, Mr. Calvin McClain, President in the '60s and '70s. An important legacy of President McClain’s achievements is that he helped initiate that local government and the Lehigh County Courthouse be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
I feel, while leading and working closely with the offices and Executive Committee of the branch, this will open more doors, create interest, and expand opportunities for additional women leaders. I believe that women in leadership is like caring for and protecting your family, and that personal drive is also directed passionately towards our community. I not only welcome the support of the community women with great pride, but this includes the men as well. I will serve the whole community with strong leadership towards the betterment for all.
Why am I running for President of the Allentown NAACP? I am where I am because of the bridges that I crossed. Sojourner Truth was a bridge. Harriet Tubman was a bridge. Ida B. Wells was a bridge. Madame C. J. Walker was a bridge. Fannie Lou Hamer was a Bridge. THIS IS MY OPPORTUNITY. For me to help my sisters and brothers to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
This chapter needs to better support the NAACP communications for Black Americans working in the areas of education, criminal justice, healthcare, and economic development. The NAACP is the boldest black civil rights organization; however, the Allentown branch has become a silent chapter. That needs to change. In the words of John Lewis, “We need to get into some good trouble.” The time is now.
I know I am your best candidate to fulfil the role of NAACP President and reinvigorate the mission and vision of the organization. Why, you ask?
I have chosen to run not for the title or respect that comes with the role as President, but to roll up my sleeves, and get my hands dirty in actively working each and every day to make the needed difference for our members and communities. I have courage and my voice has great power. I am not afraid to utilize it with boldness and purpose, while still being true to myself and my morals.
I have evolved throughout this decade and played many roles in various humanities throughout my life.
I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a volunteer worker. I have combined all of these roles because God is the head of my life.
I have provided visible leadership in social betterment movements, including resolving housing issues.
I have provided leadership in education, religious activities, care for the sick and suffering, cultural affairs, and charity for the poor.
I will be honored to be the branch President going into 2021 and invite you to be an active member with me of this prestigious organization so we can achieve our goals, not only for our own self, but for the generations that follow us.
May God Bless you and your families this holiday season and thank you for the opportunity to make a monumental difference as your candidate and hopefully President in the new year.
Darlene L Simpson-Riddick for President
WALT FELTON - 1ST VICE PRESIDENT:
I am Water Felton, former Vice President of the Allentown Branch of the NAACP. I was elevated to the President position a few months ago upon the resignation of the previous President. Since 1967, I have resided in the Allentown area. I was the brother-in-law of a past NAACP Allentown branch President of the 1970 era, Alvin Howard, now deceased.
I grew up on the Lawrence Street corridor, now named Martin Luther King Drive. The occupants were called urban renewal, which targeted and relocated occupants to public housing over at the Cumberland Garden Housing Project.
After completing the 11th grade in the Allentown School District, my mother allowed me to reside with my brother-in-law, Alan Howard, and sister-in-law, Ruth Howard, of Salisbury Township. I attended Salisbury High School, excelling in basketball, and graduated. I attended LCCC before joining the United States Marines and serving my country in active duty. I also served in reserve branches with the United States Army, Air Force, and Navy, all with honorable discharges. I would like to bring this experience to the Veterans Executive Committee of the NAACP.
I returned to the area after my time with the Army. I applied to the Allentown Police Department and was accepted. I completed 20 years, during which I held multiple titles and served in several capacities. I was recognized with various awards and citations, including being awarded Police Officer of the Year on three occasions. I also was employed by the Northampton County Sheriff Department, where I served 12 years as Deputy Sheriff and was recognized and cited with two awards.
The first citation was for subduing an estranged husband attempting to bring a knife into a courtroom in a possible attempt to inflict harm on his wife at a custody hearing. Another event involved apprehending a New Jersey most wanted state fugitive of the week. I also was the first minority to be elected as President of the Northampton County Deputy Sheriff Unit. For the past two years, I have been employed by the P.A. State Police (B.E.I.) Division.
I would bring the experience of conducting formal meetings held under the National By-laws and Roberts Rules. Despite unwarranted resistance from some Lehigh County Democratic Party Members, I attained the position as 1st African American male in Lehigh county and the 2nd ever of 67 Counties in Pennsylvania to be elected County chair of the Democratic Committee.
During my tenure, I was instrumental in having the first African American female, Veronica Clemmons, elected to the Lehigh County State Democratic Committee, when the other six minorities were challenged and removed from the ballot by their own Democratic Party members.
I returned and initiated or added at least six minorities to the PA State Democratic Party, Including Carmen Bell, Danielle Shackleford, April Riddick, Mike Watts, Barbara Redmond, and Veronica Clemmons.
I assisted in leading at least 50 precinct committee persons to be elected and hold positions on the Lehigh County Democratic Committee, where previously none were held. I would like to engage and show Allentown NAACP chapter members how to run or get involved in political offices to represent their community. It is not about me, it's about us. I have been to the top already. Now it's about telling and showing others how to get their voices and concerns heard.
I would like to show our bipartisan members how to get on the ballot, open a capital P.A.C., network, and template in organizing their campaigns to pursue office, including how to raise money for their campaigns. I have run for the following offices in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania: Commonwealth Senator, Magisterial District Judge, and Lehigh County Sheriff. I was the first Afro American in the County to obtain the office of the county sheriff. With the growing Allentown NAACP branch, we can engage diverse candidates to run for political offices throughout Lehigh County. I feel we have many youthful and experienced adults that are capable of running for political positions. We can make a difference in our community, especially with my 14 years' experience in the political arena.
The last but not the least reason for supporting my bid for the NAACP Vice Presidency is that I was instrumental in helping raise over $15,000 within the two months just before the 2017 NAACP PA Convention held at the Renaissance Hotel in Allentown, PA.
I believe I have the grassroots connections within the PA community, which allowed me to be instrumental in procuring Governor Wolf, other Pennsylvania State Officials, and State and Local judges up for election, to attend the 2017 PA Convention. I enjoy helping people and help the Allentown NAACP Branch.
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT – BYRON CRUDUP
Byron L. Crudup was born and raised in Oakland, California, and is the oldest of two children. Married with three grown children, a grandson and granddaughter, he retired as a Manager of Structural Engineering at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in 2011, and is still serving as a retiree-consultant for the company. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, a Masters Degree in Structural Engineering from Villanova University, and an MBA from DeSales University. A licensed professional engineer in several states, his job required much travel worldwide. He now runs a small structural engineering consulting firm.
Mr. Crudup has been a Prince Hall FreeMason for many years, having held many positions, including District Deputy Grand Master, and having been elevated to a 33rd degree Mason in 2007. He is also a Brother in Alpha Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
A Co-Director of Project Excel, a K-12 student tutorial with a student roster in excess of 270, he was instrumental in helping to coordinate volunteer tutors and assisting students excel in school work through tutoring, mentoring, workshops and field trips from 1992 thru 1996.
He has many other interests and hobbies, and has received numerous awards, including the Allentown Human Relations Award, the Air Products Engineer of the Year Award, the “This Is Your Life” Achievement Award, the Ujima Man of the Year Award from WLVT-TV, among others. He has also published First World News, a bi-monthly newspaper with a readership in excess of 30,000 for five years, and was Associate Producer of “Harambe,” an African-Centered TV show on PBS.
He is the husband of Raquel Crudup, the father of 3 children (Imara, Theresa and Leslie), and 2 grandchildren (Ayden and Qualia). His church affiliation is with St. James A.M.E. Zion Church in Allentown.
THIRD VICE PRESIDENT- Renee Wiggs-Rollerson –
RENEE WIGGINS-ROLLERSON Renee has extensive community service, youth service, and community resources. She is currently studying for her master’s degree in psychology. Renee is the Director for one of Allentown's Boys & Girls Clubs. Renee works closely with youth who benefit from additional structured programming.
She has a talent at engaging students to embody a wide range of human experience. Renee believes that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. She believes if you share a perspective, you bring experiences, and help students understand you better. Therefore, relating to the community you belong to, whether it be your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background, it will encourage students to do better. This honesty can grant students the opportunity to absorb the best of all worlds. Then students will want to do their best to understand and appreciate that all people have problems, and it is best to attempt to deal with them.
Renee’s goal is to work with the Branch's Youth/Junior Youth council. She would also like to work with Women In The NAACP (WIN) Committee. Additionally, she would like to enhance membership for the NAACP Allentown Branch. She is a resource to gain membership in the community. Renee's focus is on bringing more programming and resources to our community, youth, and organization.
SECRETARY - BARBARA REDMOND
I am a native of Allentown. I am a graduate of Cedar Crest College with a B.S. in Business with a minor in Economics, and an MBA in Business Administration. I have served on the Cedar Crest College Alumnae Board for seven years. I served as a State Committee Person for Lehigh County’s Southeast Caucus. I am and have been a PA Notary Public for the past 20 years. I was elected South Whitehall precinct leader for the Democratic Party.
I have been employed at PPL for over 30 years and worked for 21 years as an Administrative Assistant until I promoted to my current position, Facility Record Specialist. I know the importance of the secretary position and have undertaken an extensive study of the NAACP National Bylaws. I am running for re-election for secretary because the NAACP is crucial to the community's advancement, and I want to contribute to the organization's and the community's success.
TREASURER - ADANAH SAMPSON
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mrs. CHERYL JOHNSON WATTS - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Cheryl Johnson Watts joined the NAACP South Jamaica Branch Youth Council in Queens NY when she was in high school during the late ‘70’s. She reconnected in 2017, when she joined the Allentown Branch in Lehigh Valley, PA. Cheryl is a School Board Director for the Allentown School District and also serves on the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s Joint Operating Committee (LCTI JOC). She is a Board Member for the YWCA of Allentown and volunteers on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s Multi-Modal Working Group. Cheryl enjoys speaking with youth about planning their future and actively participates in the Alumni Schools Committee for her Alma Mater, Princeton University. She resides in Allentown with her husband Michael Watts. She is registered as a Lifetime Member of the NAACP.
ELAINE REDMOND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MS. ELAINE REDMOND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Elaine Redmond is a native of Allentown and a dedicated public servant. She had worked for Western Electric/AT&T for 30 years when her concern for our youth became her primary focus. She is now the owner/operator of a childcare/preschool in Laurys Station for over fifteen years. Elaine has an Associate’s Degree/Directors Certificate from Lehigh Carbon Community College in Early Childhood Education, and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to her preschool, she has fostered more than 30 children over the years.
In 2003, Pinebrook Family Answers honored her with an Outstanding Achievement Award for her “exceptional care of children and for always making children a priority in her life.” She will be a great addition to our Executive Committee and a loud voice for those she represents.
