By Morgen White | FāVS News Reporter
In a historic move, NAACP Spokane hired its first executive director and paid employee since the organization established itself in Spokane 106 years ago.
A press release sent out on July 25 announced Melissa Mace as the best candidate for the position. Mace is the owner of Spokane’s Discovery Counseling Group. She is a licensed behavioral therapist and credentialed social worker, with a master’s and doctorate in social work.
NAACP Spokane President Lisa Gardner says that Mace stood out due to her background, experience and participation within the community.
Mace said after obtaining a doctorate focusing on Black women in leadership, she’s been hungry for more learning opportunities. Then she saw the posting for the job.
“I was like, oh my goodness this might be exactly what I’m looking for! I’ve been in Spokane since I was in fourth grade. My dad was in the Air Force, so I’ve lived here off and on for several years,” Mace said. “And I know that we have an opportunity to be better and do better, just like everything else that we do, and to be able to be a part of that, I think is a gift.”
Mace’s background and passion for the community aligned with what the organization prioritized in its search.
“We were very intentional about wanting someone who believed in the work. I cannot tell you how many people applied that weren’t members of NAACP, which really baffled the nominating committee,” Gardner said.
She was also surprised to learn some people interviewed didn’t know the NAACP was a national organization with local branches.
“Whereas Dr. Mace is a lifetime member of NAACP. Dr. Mace knew what NAACP was before coming to the interview. She had been a part of the community and had been a part of understanding and seeing what’s going on in Spokane,” Gardner said.
NAACP branch launches new programs to serve Spokane
NAACP Spokane launched several community programs in 2024, which includes its Building Restorative Communities Initiative, Lifeguard and Swim Program for low-income and marginalized high school students and the charter of the Spokane NAACP Youth Council. While the new programs put more on the plate for NAACP Spokane, the branch has its eyes on expansion, and Gardner said hiring a paid employee was a long time coming.
“Even before I became president. We were applying for capacity building grants. And so that capacity building is helping our branch grow, from a business perspective. And what does that look like? That looks like programming. That looks like paying consultants. And so instead of paying a consultant: Why don’t we hire an executive director? And the grant money that we’re receiving can pay for our executive director for at least the next two years,” Gardner said.
Gardner is enthusiastic about the application of Mace’s expertise for NAACP Spokane and the greater Spokane community.
“A lot of people, they come to NAACP because they’ve experienced some sort of trauma. It’s a social trauma to feel as though that you’re not worthy, or to feel that you’re being othered because of the color of your skin or because of your religious background,” she said.
Trauma-informed expertise to support volunteers and community
Mace offers an expert perspective on how to approach situations where individuals have experienced trauma, which Gardner said is needed for volunteers and community members alike involved with NAACP.
“While we’re not here to turn ourselves into a clinic or behavioral health organization, we are going to lean on Dr. Mace, on her expertise, her advice in how to navigate some of these really tough situations that go on in the community,” Gardner said.
Mace said after obtaining a doctorate focusing on Black women in leadership, she’s been hungry for more learning opportunities. Then she saw the posting for the job.
“I was like, oh my goodness this might be exactly what I’m looking for! I’ve been in Spokane since I was in fourth grade. My dad was in the Air Force, so I’ve lived here off and on for several years,” Mace said. “And I know that we have an opportunity to be better and do better, just like everything else that we do, and to be able to be a part of that, I think is a gift.”
Mace said she’s entered this role as a guest, and she has been busy getting to know the community she’ll be working with and understanding how she can best support their needs.
Youth council pushes for broader media coverage
“They’re trying to shift their perspective and people’s view of what the NAACP is … to show more inclusive inclusivity and the broadness of their reach,” she said. “So I’m hopeful that I can help define some of those things for them and build and establish some programs and different opportunities to bring young people in, because, you know, they started the youth council, which is super awesome.”
Gardner said that the media’s reaction to new programs and opportunities NAACP Spokane provides doesn’t match to when racist incidents occur. She pointed to the racist harassment of the University of Utah women’s basketball team experienced in Coeur d’Alene last year. Gardner said the NAACP will always respond to racial injustice in the community but wonders where the media is when they are offering important resources to the community.
“I feel like that if you’re going to report the bad report the good, too,” she said.
The way the media has covered BlPOC communities has also caught the eye of the youth council. For example, the Spokane NAACP Youth Council is hosting a free Love Island USA season seven reunion watch party Aug. 25.
The show has drawn criticism for manipulative editing and what some viewers describe as racial double standards in how cast members are judged. Two contestants on the most recent season left after their previous use of racial slurs was discovered.
After the showing, a dialogue will take place around how Black women are portrayed on-screen and the harm that extends beyond the screen.
Mace said that she wants to continue to connect with young people to acquire a more generational perspective as the organization continues to develop programs and systems.
“I think that will really help and keep the NAACP alive and growing,” she said. “I’m so excited to help Black people and people of the global majority to see how amazing we are and capable and honorable and awe inspiring. And I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do this.”
