Founders of the NAACP: The True Story Behind Who Started the Civil Rights Organization

So, you're digging into history, maybe for a school project, personal interest, or just stumbled upon it, and you're asking: who was founder of NAACP? It sounds like a simple question, right? Just name a person. But here's the thing – it's way more complicated, and honestly, way more interesting than that. If you type "who was founder of naacp" into Google, you'll often see W.E.B. Du Bois pop up. And while he was absolutely central, boiling it down to just him misses a crucial point: the NAACP was born from a powerful collective effort. It wasn't the brainchild of a single superhero; it took a dedicated group of people, black and white, appalled by racial injustice, to light that spark.

Let me tell you, trying to pin down the exact "founder" feels a bit like arguing over who invented the telephone. History gets messy. People collaborate, ideas merge, circumstances align. That's exactly what happened in the years leading up to 1909. The brutal reality of rampant lynching, disenfranchisement, and the suffocating grip of Jim Crow laws created a pressure cooker. The founders of the NAACP weren't just starting an organization; they were launching a lifeline for equality.

Key Takeaway Right Up Front: Forget the idea of one single "founder of the NAACP." The organization emerged from a powerful convergence of events and the determined actions of several key individuals working together. Understanding this group effort is fundamental to understanding the NAACP itself.

That Explosive Spark: The Springfield Race Riot

Imagine this: It's August 1908, Springfield, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln's hometown, for crying out loud! A horrific race riot erupts. Mobs of white people attack black residents, burning homes and businesses, killing innocent people. It lasted for days. This wasn't happening in some deep southern backwater; this was the North. This was Lincoln's city.

This event sent shockwaves across the nation. For progressive white activists and intellectuals, particularly those already uneasy about racial violence, this was a terrifying wake-up call. It shattered any illusion that racial hatred was confined to the South. One of those profoundly shaken was William English Walling, a white journalist and social reformer from a wealthy Kentucky family.

Walling traveled to Springfield, witnessed the devastation, and was utterly horrified. He poured his outrage into a powerful article published in the Independent magazine titled "The Race War in the North." His words were a direct challenge: "Who realizes the seriousness of this situation? ... What large and powerful body of citizens is ready to come to their aid?"

His article didn't just describe the horror; it was a literal call to action. It landed like a bomb in the circles of people who would soon become founders of the NAACP. This wasn't just background noise; the Springfield riot was *the* catalyst. It forced the issue onto the national stage in the most brutal way possible.

The Crucial Meeting: Bringing the Force Together

Walling's article didn't just preach to the choir; it found its mark. Mary White Ovington, a white social worker deeply involved in New York's reform movements and racial justice efforts, read it. She felt Walling's urgency. She knew something concrete had to be done, and fast. So, she picked up the phone (or more likely, sent a letter or telegram!) and contacted Walling.

Ovington wasn't just concerned; she was connected. She also reached out to Dr. Henry Moskowitz, another influential white reformer involved in New York politics and social causes. The three of them – Walling, Ovington, and Moskowitz – met in Walling's New York City apartment in early January 1909 (some sources say late 1908).

Picture that meeting. The air must have been thick with anger, frustration, but also a fierce determination. They agreed: the time for scattered efforts was over. They needed a national organization. Not a small committee, but a powerful, permanent force dedicated to securing civil rights for Black Americans. Their vision was bold: an organization that would fight through legal challenges, public education, and relentless agitation.

This meeting was the crucible. But they knew they couldn't do it alone. They needed broader support, intellectual firepower, and crucially, leadership from within the Black community. This is where the story connects directly to the question "who was founder of naacp" and brings in the names most people associate with it.

The Call: Drafting the Manifesto

The immediate outcome of that pivotal meeting was "The Call." Drafted mainly by Walling, Moskowitz, and Ovington, this wasn't just a petition; it was a manifesto. Released on February 12, 1909 – symbolically on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth – it denounced the state of race relations in America, highlighted the horrors of lynching and disenfranchisement, and passionately advocated for a national conference to discuss forming a new organization dedicated to racial justice.

"The Call" stated: "We call upon all the believers in democracy to join in a national conference for the discussion of present evils, the voicing of protests, and the renewal of the struggle for civil and political liberty." It was signed by a remarkable and diverse group of over 60 prominent individuals.

Think about that list. It was a who's who of progressive thought at the time:

Black Leaders: W.E.B. Du Bois (the towering intellectual), Ida B. Wells-Barnett (the fearless anti-lynching crusader), Bishop Alexander Walters, Mary Church Terrell.
White Progressives: Social reformers like Jane Addams (Hull House), Florence Kelley, settlement house workers, prominent journalists, clergy, and academics like John Dewey and Charles Edward Russell.

Getting Du Bois and Wells-Barnett on board was critical. They weren't just signatories; they represented the vanguard of Black activism and brought immense credibility and a network within the Black community. Du Bois, in particular, was already leading the Niagara Movement (founded 1905), a more militant Black civil rights group that struggled for funding and broader reach. The vision behind "The Call" offered a potential platform with greater resources and a wider coalition.

Who Were These Key Figures? Meet the Core Founders

Okay, so we've seen it was a group effort. But who exactly were these individuals often referred to collectively as the founders of the NAACP? Let's meet the main players whose actions between 1908 and 1910 cemented the organization's birth.

W.E.B. Du Bois: The Intellectual Architect

Du Bois is the name you hear most often when people ask "who was founder of naacp," and for very good reason. While not the *sole* founder, he was arguably the most influential single figure in its early years and its dominant intellectual force.

Background: Harvard-educated sociologist, historian, author ("The Souls of Black Folk"), professor (Atlanta University), prominent Black intellectual leader.
Role Before NAACP: Founder and leader of the Niagara Movement (1905), which directly challenged Booker T. Washington's accommodationist approach.
NAACP Role: He was the only Black person among the initial executive officers (Director of Publicity and Research). He founded and edited The Crisis magazine (launched 1910), which became the NAACP's powerful voice, reaching hundreds of thousands. His writing, research, and uncompromising stance on civil rights defined the NAACP's early militancy and strategy.
Impact: Du Bois *was* the public face and intellectual engine of the NAACP for its first quarter-century. His research on lynching, segregation, and economics provided the factual ammunition for the legal battles. Trying to separate Du Bois from the NAACP's founding is impossible. He was its indispensable leader.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett: The Relentless Crusader (Often Overlooked)

Here's where history often gets it wrong, or at least incomplete. Ida B. Wells-Barnett was one of the most courageous and effective activists of her time, a pioneer in the anti-lynching movement. Yet, her role as a founder of the NAACP is sometimes downplayed, which is a real injustice.

Background: Journalist, educator, fierce anti-lynching activist. Forced to flee Memphis after her newspaper was destroyed for exposing lynching truths. International lecturer.
Connection: She had been collaborating with Walling and Ovington on anti-lynching efforts *before* the Springfield riot. She was a signatory to "The Call."
The Overshadowing: Despite her undeniable stature and early involvement, Wells-Barnett felt marginalized in the actual structuring of the NAACP at the May 1910 conference. She was relegated to a minor committee role. Historians point to personality clashes, strategic differences (she was fiercely independent and sometimes critical of Du Bois's tactics), and perhaps the sexism of the era.
Essential Fact: Her decades of groundbreaking work documenting and fighting lynching provided the moral imperative and much of the evidence that fueled the NAACP's founding mission. She was undeniably a founder, even if bureaucratic politics later sidelined her within the organization itself.

Mary White Ovington: The Organizing Force

Ovington was the glue, the tireless organizer who made things happen behind the scenes. She wasn't seeking the limelight like Du Bois, but her pragmatism and dedication were vital.

Background: White social worker, journalist, devoted to racial justice. Deeply involved in New York reform circles.
Key Action: She initiated the crucial meeting with Walling and Moskowitz after reading Walling's Springfield article. She was instrumental in drafting "The Call" and gathering signatures. She served as the NAACP's executive secretary in its fragile early days, handling the immense workload of correspondence, fundraising, and logistics.
Longevity: She served on the NAACP board for nearly 40 years, including as chairman. Her memoir, "The Walls Came Tumbling Down," is a vital firsthand account of the founding era.

William English Walling: The Catalyst

Walling provided the immediate spark and the initial platform.

Background: Wealthy white Southern-born journalist, socialist, labor reformer.
Key Action: His eyewitness reporting and subsequent article on the Springfield riot, "The Race War in the North," explicitly called for a new national organization. His apartment hosted the pivotal founding meeting. He co-authored "The Call." He served as the NAACP's first Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Later Drift: Interestingly, Walling became less active in the NAACP after a few years, partly due to disagreements over strategy and socialism's role.

Henry Moskowitz: The Strategist

Moskowitz brought political connections and organizational savvy.

Background: White reformer, involved in New York City politics and social work (later became a NYC Parks Commissioner).
Key Action: Attended the initial meeting with Walling and Ovington. Co-authored "The Call." Served as the NAACP's first Treasurer. His political skills were valuable in navigating the early organizational challenges.

Oswald Garrison Villard: The Influential Publisher

Villard provided crucial media backing and establishment credibility.

Background: White editor of the influential New York Evening Post (and later, The Nation). Grandson of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.
Key Action: Though not at the very first small meeting, he was a key signatory of "The Call" and used his newspaper to promote the cause. He became the NAACP's initial Disbursing Treasurer and Chairman of the Board. His financial backing and media influence were indispensable in launching the organization.
Conflict: He later clashed significantly with Du Bois over control and editorial independence of The Crisis.

Moorfield Storey: The Legal Eagle (First President)

Storey lent immediate prestige and legal expertise.

Background: White constitutional lawyer, former president of the American Bar Association, staunch civil libertarian.
Key Action: Joined the effort shortly after "The Call." He was elected as the NAACP's first national president at its formal incorporation in 1911, serving until his death in 1929. His legal reputation was crucial for the organization's credibility and its upcoming courtroom battles.

From Call to Conference to Incorporation: The Founding Timeline

Understanding the sequence of events helps clarify why pinpointing a single "who was founder of naacp" isn't straightforward. It was a process:

Date	Event	Significance	Key Players Involved
August 1908	Springfield Race Riot	The catalytic event that shocked the nation and spurred action.
Early January 1909	Meeting at Walling's Apartment	Walling, Ovington, and Moskowitz decide to issue a call for a national conference.	Walling, Ovington, Moskowitz
February 12, 1909	"The Call to Action" Published	Signed by over 60 prominent figures, proposing a national conference on Lincoln's birthday centennial. Marks the founding moment for many historians.	Walling, Moskowitz, Ovington spearheaded drafting; Signed by Du Bois, Wells-Barnett, Villard, Addams, Walters, and many others.
May 31 - June 1, 1909	National Negro Conference (New York)	The conference convened by "The Call." Attended by hundreds (mostly Black attendees). Debated strategies, formed committees. Established the "National Negro Committee" with Du Bois as chairman to plan a permanent organization.	Broad gathering including all signatories and activists. Du Bois becomes chairman of the planning committee.
May 1910	Second Conference	The "National Negro Committee" formally adopts the name "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People" (NAACP). Elects officers: Storey (President), Walling (Exec Chairman), Villard (Treasurer), Ovington (Exec Secretary), Du Bois (Director of Publicity & Research).	Core founders solidify structure: Storey, Walling, Villard, Ovington, Du Bois. Wells-Barnett feels sidelined.
November 1910	Du Bois Launches The Crisis	First issue published. Becomes the NAACP's powerful monthly magazine, rapidly growing its membership and influence under Du Bois's editorship.	Du Bois
1911	Incorporation	The NAACP is formally incorporated under New York State law. Moorfield Storey officially becomes its first President.	Storey, Board Members

See how it unfolds? The initial idea crystallized among a few (Walling, Ovington, Moskowitz), broadened dramatically with "The Call" and its signatories (including the indispensable Du Bois and Wells-Barnett), took organizational shape at the conferences, and finally incorporated. Each step involved different people taking the lead. That's why saying "Du Bois founded the NAACP" is true in spirit but incomplete. Saying "the founders were Walling, Ovington, Moskowitz" ignores the critical mass brought by Du Bois, Wells-Barnett, Villard, Storey, and the hundreds who attended the founding conferences. It was a collective birth.

Why the "Single Founder" Myth Persists (And Why It's Wrong)

It's tempting to want a neat story with one hero. Du Bois's towering presence, his long leadership (especially through The Crisis), and his prolific writing made him synonymous with the NAACP for decades. Textbooks often simplify. Villard, as the initial Chairman, sometimes gets undue credit simply because he was a wealthy, prominent white figurehead – reflecting the biases of the time where white leadership was often more readily acknowledged. Wells-Barnett's marginalization within the early structure, partly due to gender and her assertive style, unfortunately contributed to her being written out of the "founder" narrative for too long.

But the documents – "The Call," conference minutes, incorporation papers – and the firsthand accounts (like Ovington's) overwhelmingly point to a collaborative founding. The NAACP itself, reflecting on its history, emphasizes the group effort. Reducing it to one person erases the complexity of social movements and the essential contributions of figures like Ovington's tireless organizing or Wells-Barnett's foundational anti-lynching crusade that made the organization necessary.

The Enduring Power of Collective Action

Looking back, the founding of the NAACP teaches a powerful lesson that echoes far beyond the simple question "who was founder of naacp." Monumental change rarely rides in on the shoulders of a single individual. It emerges from the convergence of outrage sparked by events like Springfield, fueled by the intellectual power of figures like Du Bois, built on the courageous groundwork of activists like Ida B. Wells, and brought to life through the relentless organizing and coalition-building of people like Mary White Ovington, William English Walling, and Henry Moskowitz, given structure by leaders like Moorfield Storey and Oswald Villard.

The NAACP wasn't founded *by* one person; it was founded *because* of the collective refusal of a diverse group of principled individuals to accept the injustices of their time. They channeled their anger, their intellect, and their resources into creating an enduring vehicle for the fight for equality. That fight continues, and understanding its truly collaborative origins reminds us that progress demands participation, diverse voices, and sustained effort from many, not just the charismatic few.

So, next time someone asks who was founder of naacp, tell them the richer story. It wasn't just Du Bois, though he was pivotal. It was Du Bois *and* Wells-Barnett *and* Ovington *and* Walling *and* Moskowitz *and* Villard *and* Storey *and* the hundreds who answered "The Call." That collective strength is the real foundation of the NAACP.

NAACP Founders FAQ: Your Questions Answered

People digging into "who was founder of naacp" often have follow-up questions. Here are some common ones:

Question	Answer	Key Detail
Was W.E.B. Du Bois the sole founder of the NAACP?	No. While absolutely central and the most prominent early leader, the NAACP was founded by a group. Du Bois was crucial as a signatory of "The Call," Chairman of the initial planning committee, Director of Publicity & Research, and founder/editor of The Crisis. But he was part of a founding collective.	He joined the effort initiated by others (Walling, Ovington, Moskowitz) via "The Call."
Why is Ida B. Wells-Barnett often left out of the "founder" list?	This is a historical oversight, partly due to her being sidelined during the May 1910 organizational meeting. Personality clashes, strategic differences with Du Bois, and sexism likely played roles. However, she was a key signatory of "The Call," her anti-lynching work was foundational to the NAACP's mission, and she collaborated with the initiators before the Springfield riot. She is rightly considered a founder.	She felt deliberately excluded from leadership positions at the May 1910 conference despite her stature.
What happened to the Niagara Movement?	The Niagara Movement (founded by Du Bois in 1905) was absorbed into the new NAACP. The Niagara Movement provided a core of militant Black activists (including Du Bois) and a clear stance against accommodation. However, it struggled with funding and organizational reach. The broader coalition (including white allies) and greater resources promised by the NAACP model made it the logical successor, effectively ending the Niagara Movement.	Du Bois brought the Niagara Movement's spirit and many members into the NAACP.
When was the NAACP officially founded?	The answer depends on the definition: February 12, 1909: Publication of "The Call" (considered the founding moment by the NAACP itself and many historians). May 1910: Second conference where the name "NAACP" was adopted and permanent officers elected. 1911: Year of formal incorporation under New York law. Most official histories cite February 12, 1909, as the founding date, marking "The Call."	The organization celebrates its anniversary on February 12th.
Were any founders from the South?	Yes. William English Walling was born into a wealthy slave-holding family in Kentucky. His Southern background and subsequent rejection of its racial norms added a powerful dimension to his activism. Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born into slavery in Mississippi and spent much of her early career fighting injustice in Memphis, Tennessee, before being forced to flee North.	Walling's firsthand understanding of Southern racial dynamics informed his perspective.
Who was the NAACP's first President?	Moorfield Storey, a prominent white constitutional lawyer from Boston, served as the NAACP's first national President from its incorporation in 1911 until his death in 1929. His legal reputation was crucial for credibility.	His presidency reflected the early strategy of leveraging prominent white allies for influence.
What was the immediate goal of the founders?	The founders were united in their outrage over lynching and the denial of voting rights (disfranchisement) to Black citizens, particularly in the South. Their immediate goals were to: Publicize the horrors of lynching and racial violence. Fight for the enforcement of the 14th and 15th Amendments (equal protection, voting rights). Challenge segregation laws (Jim Crow). Secure basic civil rights through legal action, legislation, and public pressure.	The Springfield Riot and Wells-Barnett's anti-lynching data drove the initial urgency.