DETROIT — As a child, Kamilia Landrum always wondered why several metro Detroit neighborhoods in close proximity to one another had such stark differences.
“I never understood how Grosse Point looked so affluent and clean, but when you crossed into the Jefferson side, you immediately saw these dilapidated buildings,” said Landrum, who grew up on Detroit’s east side. “I remember whenever we would go into that corridor, I would tell my mom that I wanted to change what that looked like.”
For Landrum, that desire to make positive, lasting change led her to Detroit Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
“I knew that there was work needing to be done in my community to make it better,” Landrum said. “When I found the NAACP, that was just my outlet, where I felt this was the association that would allow me to fulfill some of those personal wants within my community.”
Since starting full-time with Detroit Branch NAACP in 2012, Landrum has dedicated herself to advocating for social, political and economic equality across the city of Detroit. And now as part of Black History Month, Landrum’s efforts are being celebrated by the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Comerica Bank.
“We’re thrilled to recognize Kamilia as a Game Changers honoree for her extraordinary efforts to advance social inclusion and achieve equity for metro Detroiters,” said Kevin Brown, director of community impact for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “The Detroit Branch NAACP is an organization that continues to be at the forefront of important social, political and economic causes.”
Since its inception in 1912, Detroit Branch NAACP has stood at the forefront of advocating for civil rights and social justice.
“One thing I’ve noticed is that Detroiters love Detroit,” Landrum said. “We love spaces within our community where everyone can feel included. I really believe in culture and having that represented throughout our community. So understanding as an organization, one that is primarily geared toward African Americans, it’s very important that we have strong institutions that can be powerhouses to uplift.”
Detroit Branch NAACP is guided by several overarching Strategic Priorities, including civil rights, climate equality, criminal justice, economic empowerment, health, legal, public policy and voter empowerment.
“Those are objectives that we really stand on to create change,” Landrum said. “We want to eliminate racism and discrimination. We want a just and inclusive society across the nation, but definitely here in Detroit.”
Landrum said “one of the most important avenues” of Detroit Branch NAACP is its award-winning Youth Council, which provides opportunities for kids aged 12-18 to get involved in the fight for equality.
“It is definitely the training ground for leadership and helps youth understand what is going on in their community,” she said. “We know there are continuous fights. This helps build leaders, who we know are in it for the long haul.”
Throughout the year, Detroit Branch NAACP also hosts a variety of enrichment sessions and youth employment programs.
“This city is a beautiful melting pot of a lot of different cultures and ethnicities, but we are still 80% African American,” Landrum said. “We have to make sure that while we are working on that mission, that everyone feels welcome to live in the city, and that’s something that’s really important to us.”
With eyes on the future, Landrum is excited for Detroit Branch NAACP’s 68th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner. Christopher Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies, will serve as this year’s senior corporate chair for the nationally recognized event.
“It’s so much more than a dinner,” Landrum said. “We’re trying to find another word to really encapsulate the magnitude of the event. Our branch is the only branch that has brought presidents, vice presidents, congressional leaders and business leaders to Detroit for our dinner. It’s almost a resetting of the civil rights agenda in Southeast Michigan.”
While official plans for the 68th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner are still to be announced, Landrum encourages people to learn more about all the ways Detroit Branch NAACP seeks to advocate for equality in the community.
“We are a familial organization,” Landrum said. “We absolutely love our members and try our best to make sure that they are loving their experience with the branch. We want to let folks know that if they care about freedom and justice, this is a place you can volunteer and be part of the community.”