By Fred Clasen-Kelly
frkelly@charlotteobserver.com

For years, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP stayed largely invisible.

Membership dwindled from earlier decades. The most recent past president was ousted after he was accused of failing to attend enough meetings.

Since the Rev. Kojo Nantambu ascended to branch president in 2009, however, the group has stoked passions both for and against it.

Some African-Americans say they agree with Nantambu's stance against recent closings of predominately black public schools and the district's decision to schedule classes on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to make up for snow days.

But Nantambu's tactics - punctuated by his assertion that Charlotte is a "racist bastion" - have triggered debate among current and former group members: Should the NAACP seek change by working within the system or by fighting against it?

The group elected Nantambu, an activist dating back to the civil rights era, to replace Ken White, a former business executive. White, members said, led by working methodically and reaching out to corporations. He declined to comment for this story.

N.C. Rep. Kelly Alexander, a Charlotte Democrat who once served as NAACP branch president, recalled that while seeking election Nantambu said the city's black community had grown complacent. "He pledged to shake things up. He's doing pretty much what he promised," Alexander said.

Historically, the group has tried to build relationships with business and government, but, "I can't imagine how that's not going to change now," said Collette Forrest, a member critical of Nantambu's tactics.

Diplomacy with school leaders and others, however, has failed to bring about desired changes, said Dwayne Collins, the organization's current first vice president. Collins, 43, said he has worked as an activist in Charlotte for 20 years, yet racial disparities in education, segregation and other issues persist.

"We have been doing the same things and getting the same results," Collins said. "Now it is time to change the paradigm."

Historic force

From its victorious mid-20th-century struggle to integrate the city's schools and restaurants, the NAACP has been a powerful force in shaping modern Charlotte.

But in recent years, membership has fallen from 1,500 in the 1980s to about 600. Even amid intense media attention, a meeting last week drew only about two dozen people.

NAACP leaders have also been divided over whether they should conduct regular financial audits to monitor the group's finances. Collins said he did not know if the group currently performed audits. Treasurer Mary Covington declined to comment.

Nantambu and the group became embroiled in controversy this month after CMS announced it would hold classes on the King holiday to make up for a snow day. The NAACP harshly criticized the decision and asked local clergy to tell church members to keep their children out of school. Almost 24,000 students missed school, about 9,500 more than the last snow day, though it is unknown how many missed because of the protest.

Later, the group voted to send a letter to state NAACP President William Barber seeking permission to conduct a possible letter-writing campaign aimed at convincing the CIAA, NCAA and PGA to move their sporting events out of Charlotte.

The actions prompted admonishments from Mayor Anthony Foxx and other African-American leaders. They labeled Nantambu's remarks extreme.

Forrest, the Nantambu critic, last week e-mailed roughly 1,500 people, asking them to call the national NAACP office to lobby against a possible boycott of the CIAA basketball tournament. She also urged recipients to call Nantambu directly.

"At such an economic time as this, how can the NAACP threaten to potentially cut off such revenue with a boycott?" the e-mail said. The tournament has been estimated to bring in nearly $40 million.

Ron Frazier, a former NAACP member, said he has received phone calls from current members and others embarrassed by Nantambu's actions. "They are saying he's totally wrong and asking 'Where did he get that from?'" he said.

Frazier said Nantambu's aggressive style is out of step with most African-Americans in Charlotte.

"You don't go about it this way," he said. "This is a close community and we can discuss before allegations and accusations are made."

Nantambu did not return phone calls seeking comment. His critics often note that Charlotte has an African-American mayor, police chief, county manager and a significant black presence on the city council and Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

But at a NAACP meeting late last week, Nantambu said racial inequality remained a constant.

In a fiery speech, Nantambu called Charlotte City Council "inept," saying they failed to provide affordable housing. He said local government does not grant enough projects to minority contractors. He interspersed his charges with this line: "And I'm the one being vilified."

"We have a black president and this country is more racist than I can ever remember," he said to loud applause.

Longtime activist

Nantambu is a Wilmington native who has lived in Charlotte for 28 years. He is probably best known as pastor of Green Oak Missionary Baptist Church northeast of uptown and has been a longtime school volunteer.

In 1971, an 18-year-old Nantambu joined civil rights activist Ben Chavis and those who would become known as the "Wilmington 10" to lead a boycott of Wilmington schools that turned violent. Several people were shot, which brought worldwide attention to North Carolina.

After a white-owned store was torched, Chavis and nine others were arrested. Nantambu was not arrested, but his friends became known as political prisoners when they were sentenced to 282 years. The convictions were overturned in 1980.

Collins, the NAACP vice president, said Nantambu's activist roots led group members to make him president.

Geneal Gregory, a longtime member, disagrees with Nantambu's style and would prefer the NAACP use diplomacy and help develop solutions.

She said the Charlotte branch has failed to launch youth chapters in schools, tutoring programs, voter registration drives and other outreach, even though such efforts are part of the national organization's mission.

Alexander, the former branch president, said he did not support Nantambu's call for a boycott.

But he said Nantambu is simply holding CMS accountable for closing the long-standing academic achievement gap between whites and blacks.

For now, the NAACP plans to continue its aggressive tactics, Collins said.

Collins said Nantambu is open to diplomacy, the same as White, his predecessor.

The difference, he said, is Nantambu doesn't shy away from confrontation.

"Mr. White was much more methodical," Collins said. "He came from corporate America and said there are rules. He was more dialogue oriented."

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