By GINNY COOPER

The NAACP Shelby County branch held their first meeting after electing officers on April 12.

The meeting was focused on gathering members together and “getting some basic information” as the group moves forward, said Rev. Kenneth Dukes, president of the branch.

“This is the first branch in Shelby County, and it’s new and exciting,” Dukes said. “Everything is new.”

The group plans to host a forum for candidates running in the June primary on Friday, May 16.

“We (NAACP) don’t affiliate with a party, but this would be allow people and the candidates to express their opinions,” Dukes said.

During the first meeting, the group discussed appointments to various positions within the branch, heard a membership and finance report, discussed new business and looked toward upcoming events.

“We’ve got a great responsibility ahead of us,” Dukes said.