Gemale Black will take over as the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP chapter president this month. He first joined the organization about two years ago and served as a community coordinator on the executive committee during his second year of membership.

Black said he never thought he would be president when he first joined, so hearing his name called as the winner of the election was surprising.

“It was humbling,” he said.

He said he has found a mentor in outgoing president Scott Teamer, who has been counseling him on the ups and downs to come with the presidency.

During last month’s NAACP 21^st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, Black said there is a lot of work to be done in the community. Some of his goals include strengthening the infrastructure of the local branch and working with the mayor, city manager and police chief to solve the issues in the community.

“We have to figure out what the real problem in the community is,” he said at the banquet.

Black graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a degree in justice studies.

— Amanda Raymond

Age: 27

Address: Salisbury

Job: Incoming president, Salisbury-Rowan NAACP

Where born: Salisbury

If you won $10 million in the lottery, what would you do?
Save some of it for the education of his two daughters, ages 4 and 2 months, invest some of it back into the community by bringing job training sessions that would teach people useful trades.

Favorite book: “Dreams From My Father” by Barack Obama

Who would play you in a movie: Denzel Washington

What would you choose for your last meal: A ribeye steak, medium well done, and mashed potatoes with no gravy.

Who will you watch in 2017? Police Chief Jerry Stokes to see how he reacts to and handles different challenges.

Biggest challenge in 2017:
Getting people to look beyond his age as the new president of the local NAACP chapter. Black said he realizes the seriousness of his position.

Biggest hope for 2017:
That every murder is solved in a timely manner.

Reaction to making list: Shocked and humbled