Macon-Bibb NAACP President Gwen Westbrooks elected Georgia NAACP president

Westbrooks thanked members for their support and pledged to "move this organization to another chapter."

UPDATE: Westbrooks told 41NBC’s Fiona King she will assume her new role on November 11 and serve a two-year term.

She says one of her main goals in her new role is to ensure all Georgia NAACP branches are equally trained and equipped to address issues in their communities.

“My mission is to create strong, well-equipped branches throughout the state,” Westbrooks said. “I want to strengthen communication, enhance training and foster collaboration across all branches, to make the Georgia State Conference one Georgia become a reality, where every branch will receive the same information, training and opportunities simultaneously, ensuring we are all equally equipped to serve our communities effectively.”

She says she plans to address what she called serious issues affecting our communities.

“Such as mental health, voter education and voter suppression, affordable housing, education, criminal justice, violence and putting more focus on assistance to our young people,” she said.

Until November 11, she says she will divide her time between Atlanta and Macon-Bibb.

“The Macon Branch has not lost me; they now have a local and state president,” she said.

Willie Dumas, the Macon-Bibb chapter’s current vice president, will succeed Westbrooks as president of the local branch.

ORIGINAL STORY:

ATLANTA (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb NAACP President Gwen Westbrooks has been elected president of the Georgia NAACP, succeeding Gerald Griggs.

Griggs confirmed the leadership change in a statement on Tuesday.

“Gwen’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to justice make her exceptionally well-suited to guide our state conference into its next chapter,” he said.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Westbrooks thanked members for their support during the Georgia NAACP State Conference’s 83rd State Convention.

“I want to thank everyone for their vote this past weekend at the Georgia NAACP State Conference 83rd State Convention to serve as their Georgia State President,” Westbrooks wrote. “We will work together side by side to move this organization to another chapter. Thank you for putting your trust in me. Making One Georgia a Reality.”

Griggs said he was privileged to work alongside members, volunteers and partners in the “ongoing fight for civil rights, equity and voter empowerment.”

“I am confident that under Gwen’s leadership, the Georgia NAACP will continue to advance these vital causes and strengthen our communities across the state,” he said.

As of this report, the Macon-Bibb chapter has not publicly announced changes to its leadership structure.