The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
Helping the community be successful.
The Fort Wayne NAACP is tremendously proud of the impact that we have made in helping our community by providing support, civil engagement, and education.
We are confident that our member’s unique experiences and commitment focus will absolutely be an asset to the community.
Membership is the life blood of the organization.
Committees is where the work is done. Join Today!
Fundraisers to produce community programs, workshops, and scholarships.
Contact Us
2513 South Calhoun
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
3049fwanaacp@gmail.com
(260) 515-1140
Larry D.Gist
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Relocated to Fort Wayne, worked for ITT-Exelis, Inc. as a Reliability Engineer until I retired in 2010.
In 1963, my childhood home was the target of two bombings in retaliation for our family attempting to move into a “white neighborhood.” Those bombings and many other acts of discriminations I witnessed at an early age, gave me a personal drive to fight for equality.
Those life lessons of prejudice lead me to fight for justice on my job and it inspired me to become a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) to help make an impact on other lives. In 2010 I became active in the local Branch of the NAACP (Branch 3049). In 2011 elected to the position of First Vice President. I served as First Vice President until 2014. As Frist Vice President I took an active role on the Legal Redress Committee and still actively working with this Committee. The Legal Redress Committee handles complaints of various types which includes discrimination and injustice. In 2014 I was appointed President of the local branch and served in that capacity until 2018. Re-elected as NAACP President for the term of 2021-2022.
Elected as Operation Manage for the MLK Club in 2019 to present.
I am a Veteran, served ten years in the United States Army and was a civilian employee for the Navy. Along with my years of services to the public and private sector, I was the owner/operator of Justustcatering & BBQ. I am an active Community Leader in our community. Sat at the table with other community leaders for the start-up of Join My GANG (Giving Anyone Needed Guidance).
Community organizations:
• The Fort Wayne Commission on African American Men
• NAACP (Silver Lifetime Member)
• Past President of McCormick Neighborhood Association
• SouthEast Area Partnership (SEAP)
• Member of the Martin Luther King Club
• Board President of the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Academy (elected in 2019).
• Joshua’s Temple (Active member) – Part of the Men’s Ministry and multiple other
Committees
• Mayor’s Commission on Police Reform and Racial Justice
Awards
• NAACP Lifetime Membership
• Indiana State Conference NAACP Membership Award 2017
• Martin Luther Leadership and Community Service 2019
