INAUGURATION — After being inaugurated as president of the Steubenville branch of the NAACP, Michael Jett administered oaths of office to its executive committee, which includes Steve Wilson chairman; outgoing president Michael McIntyre, Michael Hayden, Ariane Robinson, Eliza Kelley, Iris Wilson and Kevin Terry. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Following his inauguration Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church, the new president of the Steubenville branch of the NAACP told attendees the fight for equality depends on the involvement of everyone.

“We’re here to serve but we need your help and support,” said Michael Jett, who noted, “This thing takes numbers. It is a lot of work.”

Jett said some have wrongly called the NAACP a racist, anti-white organization.

“That’s not what we are, that’s not what we stand for,” he said, adding its purpose is to attack a system of white supremacy, not white people.

Jett said some also falsely state racism no longer exists.

“What kind of insult is that, to tell the family of George Floyd that racism is over?” he said.

Jett said the abolition of slavery was just the start of a race for equality, an analogy also used by Steve Wilson, chairman of the branch’s executive committee.

“We have overcome a lot but the race is still going. The finish line is somewhere in the future,” he said.

Jett said he would like to see more blacks serving the public as police officers, firefighters and teachers.

He said it’s important that more blacks lead classrooms so black children can see them also as dispensers of education and role models for those who might enter the teaching field.

Jett said as president, he will work with others to involve more youth in the NAACP.

“One of my goals is to see the youth branch become one of the biggest and best in the state,” he said.

Jett encouraged everyone to attend a state of the Black union discussion Saturday involving panels comprised of presidents of area NAACP branches and local clergy and elected officials.

The program will start at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.

Jett noted his predecessor, Michael McIntyre, had launched the Steubenville Broncos peewee football league, which he paired with a study group to support and encourage the youth through their school work.

He identified McIntyre, city councilman and past NAACP President Royal Mayo and Bishop Jermaine Moore Sr. as three key mentors who have helped shape who he is.

Jett said he hopes to see more collaboration between the local branch and local places of worship.

“We need God in a fight like this,” said Jett, who also stated, “We’re called a minority but if you have God on your side, you become a majority.”

Moore, who administered Jett’s oaths of office to him, said church involvement saw many Blacks through their struggles with discrimination over the years. He pledged Mount Zion Baptist Church’s support for the NAACP’s efforts.

Also inaugurated as the branch’s leaders were: Clarence Mitchell, first vice president; Stephon Hill, second vice president; Erica Johnson, third vice president; Valicia Martin, secretary; Bridget Long, assistant secretary; Linda Dinkins, treasurer; and executive committee members McIntyre, Michael Hayden, Ariane Robinson, Eliza Kelley, Iris Wilson and Kevin Terry.