The Youngstown Branch of the NAACP is leading a dynamic and community-centered fundraising effort aimed at acquiring a golf simulator that will enhance access, equity, and engagement across the Mahoning Valley. Under the leadership of President James Brown, who has served since 2020, the organization is seeking to install a simulator at the downtown YMCA facility in Youngstown.
Brown, a Certified Workforce Development Professional with extensive experience in Career Development, believes this project aligns with the NAACP’s mission to promote equal opportunity, wellness, and empowerment. “Fundraising allows us to continue to serve our community not only through advocacy, but with programs and services that have a direct impact on our community’s earning capability by providing scholarships, apprenticeship programs, eliminating health disparities, and improving the daily lives of individuals with disabilities,” said Brown.
President, NAACP Youngstown, Ohio Branch
The vision for the golf simulator is both innovative and holistic. According to Brown, the simulator will not only serve as a recreational tool but also offer educational and health-related benefits. The NAACP plans to host fundraising events at the simulator site to generate sustainable revenue that will fund youth programs, college scholarships, and senior initiatives.
The initiative also includes offering golf instruction for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities—groups that are often excluded from such experiences due to economic or physical barriers. “We want to create a space where everyone in our community can learn the fundamentals of golf, whether they’re 8 or 80,” said Brown. “This is about accessibility and inclusion.”
The idea stemmed from a collaboration between the NAACP Youngstown executive team and D’Aundray “Dre” Brown, Executive Director of the YMCA. The two groups had previously partnered for the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Brown v. Board of Education decision in May 2024. That event laid the foundation for a shared commitment to creating long-term programs for youth and families in the area.
The YMCA, which will host the golf simulator, has already allocated space upstairs in their facility, providing a central and accessible location for participants. This location is ideal for seniors and people with mobility challenges, who will now have an opportunity to engage in light physical activity in a safe and comfortable environment.
However, Brown acknowledges that the biggest hurdle in making this vision a reality is funding. “Finding foundations that are willing to donate to a holistic effort to make our community better is a challenge,” he said. “Sometimes foundations only want to support the programs that they currently fund, which leaves innovative approaches like ours to wither on the vine.”
To overcome this, the Youngstown Branch is forming strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations and community leaders who share their vision for equitable opportunity and wellness. “By collaborating with organizations that have the best interests of our community at heart, we believe we can find the support we need,” Brown added.
Those interested in supporting this initiative or learning more about how to contribute are encouraged to reach out directly. “We welcome donations, in-kind support, and partnerships,” said Brown. “Every contribution brings us closer to creating a truly inclusive space where our community can grow, learn, and thrive.”
To donate or get involved, contact the NAACP Youngstown Branch at (330) 787-9894 or email naacpyoungstown.president@gmail.com. More information is available at www.naacp-youngstown.org or through their Facebook page at facebook.com/NAACP1350.
Founded in 1919, the Youngstown Branch of the NAACP has been a consistent voice for civil rights and justice. The organization continues to be actively involved in advocacy efforts, voter engagement, education reform, and economic development initiatives across the region.
