NAACP DES MOINES BRANCH
ABOUT NAACP DES MOINES
Rooted in civil rights. Focused on Greater Des Moines. Building a community where everyone can live, work, and thrive.
WHO WE ARE
A LOCAL BRANCH OF A NATIONAL MOVEMENT
The NAACP Des Moines Branch works to advance equity, protect civil and human rights, strengthen civic participation, and expand opportunity throughout Greater Des Moines.
As part of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, our work is grounded in the NAACP mission to eliminate discrimination and advance the well-being, education, economic security, political power, and full participation of Black people and all people of color.
Locally, that mission means bringing people together to advocate, serve, organize, develop leaders, respond to community concerns, and build the conditions that allow our entire community to thrive.
OUR VISION FOR GREATER DES MOINES
LIVE. WORK. THRIVE.
We believe thriving should mean more than simply getting by. Our vision is a Greater Des Moines where every person can live, work, and thrive in a community where:
JUSTICE PREVAILS
Public safety and systems of justice protect and serve people fairly, without bias or unnecessary barriers.
ESSENTIAL NEEDS ARE MET
People can access the housing, healthcare, transportation, and resources they need to live stable, healthy lives.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ABOUNDS
People can earn a living wage, advance in their careers, build businesses, create wealth, and pursue economic security.
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IS STANDARD
Young people receive culturally inclusive, globally competitive education that prepares them to learn, lead, and succeed.
VOTING RIGHTS ARE SECURED
People can exercise their right to vote and influence the decisions and institutions that shape their lives.
HOW WE WORK MATTERS
Lasting change requires more than individual programs or moments of advocacy. It requires people working together, sustained civic participation, strong institutions, and a commitment to racial equity.
COLLABORATIVE • COMMITTED • ETHICAL • TRANSPARENT • VISIONARY
OUR LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN SERVICE
The work of the NAACP Des Moines Branch is carried forward by members who give their time, experience, leadership, and voice in service to our mission and community.
Our elected officers and Executive Committee help guide the Branch’s priorities, strengthen member engagement, support committees and programs, and ensure that our advocacy remains connected to the needs of Greater Des Moines.
ELECTED OFFICERS
VICTORIA HENDERSON WEBER
President
ARNOLD WOODS, JR.
Victoria Henderson Weber is a strategic leader, advocate, and systems thinker committed to advancing social justice, equity, and civic engagement. She began her NAACP leadership as a youth advisor and has served as President of the Des Moines Branch since 2021, helping advance civil-rights advocacy, strengthen community partnerships, and develop pathways for future leaders. Professionally, she works in public transportation and workforce mobility, with a focus on improving systems and expanding access to economic opportunity.
Arnold Woods, Jr. is a longtime civil-rights advocate, and U.S. Air Force veteran. His decades of NAACP service include leadership as President of the Des Moines Branch and President of the Iowa-Nebraska State Conference. A retired higher-education administrator, Arnold has dedicated much of his career and community service to expanding opportunity, supporting education, and advocating for social and human justice.
Vice President
KENYADA CONEY
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
EBONEE WOODS
Kenyada Coney is a healthcare professional, community leader, and member of the NAACP Next Gen Alumni Class of 2020. Her work in healthcare has deepened her commitment to equitable access to resources and quality care, and to advocating for people whose needs too often go unrecognized. Grounded in her faith and inspired by motherhood, Kenyada is dedicated to building a stronger community where future generations have the support and opportunity to succeed.
3RD VICE PRESIDENT
DANIELLE MITCHELL
Ebonee Woods is a longtime NAACP member whose involvement began as a student participating in ACT-SO. She also helped reactivate the Des Moines Youth Council charter. Her service has included youth leadership and regional NAACP Youth Works involvement, along with a career in public service and community engagement. A graduate of Lincoln University, an HBCU, Ebonee brings extensive experience in civic engagement, partnership-building, and developing the next generation of leaders.
SECRETARY
Danielle Mitchell brings more than a decade of experience in finance and administration to her role as Secretary. A graduate of the University of Phoenix, she also serves in leadership with the Order of the Eastern Star, PHA; the Order of the Golden Circle; and Tawasi Federated Women's Club. Her service centers on education, empowerment, and opportunity for women, youth, and communities of color.
ANNIS AUSTIN-WOODS
TREASURER
MARCELLA EDMONDS
Annis Austin-Woods is an Iowa native whose commitment to faith, service, and community has shaped decades of involvement in Greater Des Moines. She has supported young people through the NAACP Youth Council and ACT-SO and has served the Branch for many years as Treasurer. Her professional and community work has centered on education, families, youth, and strengthening opportunities for Black Iowans.
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Marcella Edmonds brings decades of professional and volunteer service to her role as Assistant Treasurer. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, she built a long career with the Iowa Department for the Blind while also serving churches, libraries, youth organizations, and community institutions throughout Greater Des Moines. Her record of service reflects a deep commitment to stewardship, community involvement, and helping institutions serve people well.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE Chairs
Patricia Barbee
Youth Works
Anesa Buchanan
Women in the NAACP
Russell Lovell
John Olsen
Voter Registration
Cory Royster
Legal Redress
Brad Woods
Civic Engagement
David Walker
Legal Redress
Veterans Affairs
AT-LARGE MEMBERS
Betty Andrews
Diogenes Ayala
Sharon Brown
Mary Chapman
Jacquie Easley McGhee
Alex Hanna
Heather Jones-Brown
Jacqueline Thompson
Ezell Tornes
EMERITUS
Linda Carter-Lewis
OUR HISTORY
A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES
The NAACP Des Moines Branch has been part of the fight for civil rights in Iowa for more than a century. Its early leaders helped build one of the state ’s most influential civil-rights institutions and laid a foundation for generations of advocacy that continues today.
We honor that history not simply by remembering it, but by continuing the work in the challenges and opportunities facing Greater Des Moines today.