Greetings Natchez friends of the NAACP.

Just a note to let you know that our great organization — the voice of black Americans and other underprivileged peoples around the world — is alive, active and attracting future leaders.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convened in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 12-17.

My wife, Alma, and I along with 160 Mississippi delegates attended the 99th convention of this great organization. The city of Cincinnati rolled out the red carpet to us for five days. There were welcoming signs posted everywhere, even on the sidewalk pavement. Merchants, public officials, city employees, hotel staffers and many other entities wore welcome badges. There was a mobile police unit stationed at the convention site — Duke Entergy Center — displaying a large welcoming banner.

The city is filled with the historical struggle of the black man, and those who helped our cause. The city boasts of having the National Underground Railroad Museum. We visited it and it was awesome.

Now, enough of that. The business of this convention was to re-energize, rekindle our freedom fires and recommit ourselves to the arduous work of the NAACP.

The theme was “Power, Justice, Freedom — Vote!” The goal was the reviving of NAACP members to educate our communities to register to vote and then exercise that privilege and freedom.

There were approximately 8,000 convention attendees present from all corners of the United States. There were lectures, caucuses, luncheons, dinners and social events.

The Cincinnati branch hosted the convention and did an outstanding job.

There were many national notables present including, presidential candidates Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain, Gov. Paterson of New York and many others.

The youth and college delegates were given special treats including educational tours, motivational speakers, movies and other delights.

Mississippi had the second largest visiting delegation — 160. North Carolina had 185.

The Mississippi delegation was treated to a dinner by Entergy Corp., a catfish dinner by the Mississippi Catfish Association and entertainment for the evening by our own blues legend, Bobby Rush and company.

Next year will be the 100th celebration of the NAACP in New York City.

Get ready and lets ride the freedom train together in style to New York City.

The Rev. Clifton Marvel is first vice president of the Natchez branch of the NAACP.