The NAACP Board of Directors, passed a resolution creating the Youth & College Division in March 1936

The initiative and drive exhibited by the youth councils, continues to be substantial, and in evidence locally as well as nationally.

The first annual student conference of the NAACP was held at Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA March 29-31, 1940. Fifty-three delegates registered from schools and colleges all over the United States were represented.

In 1943, the Youth & College Division initiated the first "National Negro Youth Week" which was held April 27th through May 3rd. The purpose was to focus attention of the nation on the needs, aims, achievements and aspirations of Negro youth throughout the country.

In 1960, the NAACP proudly saluted the sit-in demonstrations of it's youth members in Greensboro, North Carolina, in attempt to desegregate lunch counters.

In 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the NAACP youth members registered over 350,000 voters. This campaign demonstrated the strength and determanation of the Youth & College Division. Today, there are over 700 NAACP youth councils and college chapters, located throughout the United States.

The primary objective of the NAACP Youth & College Division is to: