Learn more about Cle J. Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, an advocacy group dedicated to fixing crumbling city infrastructure, criminal justice reform, and improving education, environment, and the healthcare systems throughout Grand Rapids, MI.
Cle J. Jackson
President, Greater Grand Rapids NAACP
President Jackson, a proud native of Grand Rapids, MI, has dedicated a significant portion of his life to public service and community engagement. After an impressive 27-year career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where he held a pivotal role overseeing community, civic, and local government relations across 22 counties in the West Michigan region, he recently retired. His leadership in healthcare not only influenced organizational strategies but also profoundly impacted the communities he served.
Throughout his career, Cle has been a passionate advocate for community development and social equity. His commitment to enhancing the quality of life in his region is evident through his extensive involvement in various local organizations. As president of the Baxter Community Center board, he worked tirelessly to provide resources and support to underserved populations, ensuring that vital services were accessible to those in need. His role as a board member for K-Connect, an initiative aimed at improving educational outcomes and community engagement, further illustrates his dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation in local governance.
Jackson’s influence extends beyond West Michigan. As a founding member of the CleMont Literary Society in Washington, DC, he sought to enhance cultural awareness and promote literacy on a national scale. His previous positions, including past board member for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids, which provides support for cancer patients and their families, and as an advisory board member for Lake Michigan College’s Catch the Dream program, showcase his unwavering commitment to health and education.
In addition to his board involvement, Mr. Jackson played a crucial role in significant fundraising efforts, such as serving as an executive cabinet member for the 2011 Catherine’s Health Center capital campaign. His leadership as executive chair for the American Cancer Society’s 2010 Cattle Barons Ball demonstrated his ability to mobilize resources and rally community support for critical healthcare initiatives.
Over the years, Cle has been honored with numerous accolades that recognize his contributions to civic life. Among these are the prestigious 2012 Eugene Browning Medical Service Giants Award, which highlights his impact on healthcare services, and the 2016 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award—the highest national service recognition from the Boy Scouts of America, celebrating his dedication to youth and community service.
As he embarks on this new chapter of his life after retirement, President Jackson remains a respected figure in the community, known for his unwavering dedication to service, advocacy, and leadership. His legacy continues to inspire those around him, encouraging future generations to engage in meaningful community work and strive for positive change.
Gail Harvey
1st Vice President, Greater Grand Rapids NAACP
Gayle Harvey grew up in West Michigan and has been in real estate for over 20 years. She enjoys being part of the ever-changing city of Grand Rapids. Currently she oversees special outings for a small group of senior ladies called B.A.M.M.Y. (Blessed Are Mothers Mine and Yours) in memory of my mother Mrs. Evelyn (Carlisle) Lake whom everyone called Bammy. She is excited to be chosen as the 1ST Vice President of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP Executive Committee working in and for the Gand Rapids Community. I believe the NAACP to be a large and very important part of the city’s growth and learning development, I welcome and am excited at the opportunity to work with this organization.
Ellen James
3rd Vice President, Greater Grand Rapids NAACP
Ellen M. James, Ms. James presently serves on the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Board of Trustees and served as past trustee on the Metropolitan Board of the YMCA, Porter Hills Foundation, Mount Mercy Housing Corporation, President of the Coalition for Representative Government, Grand Rapids Police Chief Advisory Committee, and honorary co-chair of the Girl Scouts capital campaign drive. Ms. James was elected to the Board of Trustees of Grand Rapids Community College in February 1991, reelected in June 1997, June 2003, and again in 2009. Ms. James ended her trustee term after 25 years of service with the Grand Rapids Community College. Ms. James is retired from the City of Grand Rapids where she served in the Equal Opportunity Department.
Shawn Beene, Ed.D.
Treasurer, Greater Grand Rapids NAACP
The Treasurer receives all monies and acts as Chief Financial Officer of the NAACP Unit and Chairman of the Finance Committee. The Treasurer submits monthly reports to the Executive Committee or on behalf of the Unit when required. Dr. Beene serves in a local school system where he is a liaison between students and the community and responsible for building a pipeline of opportunities. Dr. Beene is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps after eight years of military service. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fidelis! Dr. Beene serves on The Salvation Army’s Advisory Council and several subcommittees in addition to serving on THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board of Directors.
Nicole Thompson
Secretary, Greater Grand Rapids NAACP
Nicole Thompson has over 20 years as a medical billing management professional and collegiate-level instructor in the healthcare administration sector. Nicole’s niche is in Revenue Cycle Management/Accounts Receivable with an emphasis on training and consulting.
Nicole is acclaimed for her exceptional experience in providing operational assessments for revenue cycles to a diverse pool of clients from private practice to large hospital-owned medical groups. As a result, efficiencies increase, compliance is in order, out of date practices are updated and revenue leakage becomes increases to accounts receivables.
Nicole is a Certified Medical Administrative Specialist. She has completed business coursework at Grand Rapids Community College. She’s a 10 year plus collegiate-level adjunct instructor. She is a Yellow Belt in Six Sigma and also completed the Lean Training Class. Nicole has interest in the technical side of medical billing and education in medical coding. Currently, Nicole puts her experience into practice as the Director Revenue Cycle Management. Nicole was elected to the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP board in 2021. She will take her Director-level leadership and apply it as she serves as the secretary of the executive committee.
Our History
Our Mission
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
Our Vision
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.
On January 3, 1919, fifty people gathered with Rev. Robert Bagnall, the Great Lakes district organizer of the NAACP, to charter the Grand Rapids chapter. The National office of the NAACP granted a charter to the local chapter twenty-two days after the submission of their application. The officers of the branch were Thomas E. Benjamin, a railroad porter, who served as president; Basil Ray, a waiter, was appointed vice president; George M. Smith, a printing superintendent, was the group’s secretary; and J. Ed Jones, a custodian, became treasurer. Each charter member paid one dollar and received a subscription to Crisis magazine. The organization of the chapter in 1919 was a part of the larger expansion of NAACP branches all over the country. A historian of the NAACP noted that, at the time of the 1919 national conference of the NAACP in Cleveland, “there were 220 branches and 56,345 members, and the circulation of the Crisis stood at 100,000.
OUR OBJECTIVES
The following statement of objectives is found on the first page of the NAACP Constitution – the principal objectives of the Association shall be:
- To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens
- To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States
- To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
- To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights
- To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination
- To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.
If you have any questions regarding our staff or our organization, we invite you to reach out to us at 616-719-3478 today.