They began the 152nd Jubilee Day with a song, its words rising to fill a church built by slaves.
"Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us."
New Year's Day might mean the start of a diet or hours spent devoted to college football. For some, it's a day of recovery. But for African-Americans, Jan. 1 is often celebrated as the anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
"African-Americans should always remember Jan. 1 as the day that we had freedom from slavery," said Carolyn Tatum, NAACP third vice president.
Tatum helped to organize the Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP Jubilee Day Celebration at First Baptist Church on East Eighth Street on Thursday. The event was titled "All Lives Matter" and marked 152 years since President Abraham Lincoln's decree freed slaves across the United States. NAACP leaders and community members gathered to install new officers, celebrate their history and talk about a road forward.
In keeping with the theme, speaker and past president Eddie Holmes talked about the killings of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, which have sparked protests around the country and the use of the Twitter hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.
"Whether you realize it or not those individuals gave their lives for a purpose," Holmes said.
Holmes also said the court system works against African-Americans. Education, too, should be a top priority for improving African-American communities and combating violence, Holmes said. He said parents should take ownership of their children's futures, and encouraged community members to get out and vote.
Incoming President Dr. Elenora Woods said the two homicides that happened in Chattanooga between Wednesday night and Thursday morning were shocking.
Woods called Chattanooga's African-American communities "toxic" and questioned the city's progressive reputation.
"We're supposed to be a model city, but my people are dying," Woods said.
Woods said she hopes to lead the group into 2015 with greater communication with elected officials and a conviction that the NAACP should have a place in discussions about the city's future. Voting and unity would be important steps toward healing the city, Woods said.
"Until we get in the community and do something, it's going to be the same," Woods said.
Visitors said Woods' message, though stern, was energizing. James Mathis, 61, said he plans to rejoin the group after a few years away. Jubilee Day gives him hope for the future.
"It's like a new beginning," he said. "Every year it's a new beginning."
Susie Holland, 64, attended the celebration for the first time.
"It's a wonderful occasion," said Holland, of Rossville. "I'm glad I came out to witness this."
Contact staff writer Claire Wiseman at cwiseman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347.