My name is Minnie Pearson and it is my distinct honor to serve as President of the NAACP Champaign County Branch. I have been a proud resident of the Champaign-Urbana community for more than 50 years and am a graduate of the University of Illinois, where I earned my master’s degree.

From an early age, I knew that my calling was in elementary education. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I began my teaching career with the Champaign Unit 4 School District as a first-grade teacher at Dr. Howard Elementary School. I proudly served in this district for more than 30 years and am now retired. My passion for working with children, however, remains strong. I continue to substitute teach several days a week, allowing me to stay connected to our youth and current best practices in education. In addition, I volunteered for ten years as a CU One-to-One Mentor within Champaign schools. Public service is truly a part of who I am.

I am a life member of the NAACP Champaign County Branch and previously served as First Vice President for eight years before assuming the role of President, now in my second term. I am especially proud of the dedication and impactful work of our Executive Board and committees. The mission of the NAACP Champaign County Branch is to ensure political empowerment, educational excellence, and social and economic equity for all, while working to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination wherever it exists. As President, I remain fully committed to advancing this mission.

An organization is only as strong as its membership. I warmly invite you to become involved by joining this local branch, serving on a committee, or contributing at the board level. Your voice, your time, and your talents are needed—and you are welcome here.

Beyond the NAACP, I am honored to serve on several local boards where I also hold leadership roles. I am a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter, and have been a devoted member of Salem Baptist Church for more than 45 years.

Among many other prestigious awards, I am deeply grateful to have received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award and to have made history in 2025 as the first African American woman—and the first NAACP member—to receive the prestigious Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award. These honors reflect not only my personal journey, but the collective strength and purpose of the community I am privileged to serve.