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President



President Nieeta Presley

naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com

(651) 649-0520

BA from Metropolitan State University. 

Owner of New Life Possibilities, LLC Consulting. Looking Beyond the Opportunities by Creating the Greatest POSSIBILITIES” (since 2021).

Retired Executive of Aurora/St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation (2020, ASANDC).

During her tenure as Executive Director at ASANDC, she successfully collaborated with organizations to give the ASANDC neighborhood a voice in a planning processes and decisions that resulted in spearheading cross- sector organizations to engage in community building, advocacy to ensure equity, social and racial justice for the community.  She especially has provided leadership and organizing support for the African American community previously impacted by the construction of Interstate 94 through the heart of their neighborhoods to ensure benefits for that already injured community in light of the Light Rail Construction (LRT - 2014) Under her leadership, she co-led the Preserve and Benefit Rondo Coalition that organized for protection, rights, and benefits for the Historic Rondo Black Community and the STOPS Campaign which prevented and won back the three missing LRT stops in the Rondo Community during the University Ave/LRT Green line.

Provided Project leadership on preservation projects for the Historic Rondo Community of St Paul, MN; The Rondo Arts Cultural Historic Business District (RACBHD), Reconnect Rondo (RCR), and the Rondo Round Table (RRT). Most recently, lead and raised funding to produce the first non-European Historic Context Study (1837 – 1975).  Served as the lead coordinator and facilitated both the Cross-sector Advisory Team and the community process to develop The Saint Paul African American Historic Cultural Context Study.

 

Experienced in real estate development. Responsible for developing several units of single-family homes for ownership, multi-rental rental units of housing from homeless to senior rental housing, real estate development includes historical preservation, and mixed-use development of commercial space targeting the small business owners/entrepreneurs of color especially targeting the African American community.

Nieeta currently serves as Commissioner on the Saint Paul Planning Commission. She is the current President of NAACP Saint Paul Branch Roy Wilkins Memorial Branch 4052. Former Commissioner on the St Paul Human Rights Economic Equal Opportunity, past board member of the Community Development Community Development (MCCD) and the Land Bank Twin Cities.  She was elected to serve on the St. Paul Mayor’s Central Corridor Task Force that created the Central Corridor Development Strategy (CCDS) for the Central Corridor/University Avenue Saint Paul.

Nieeta has been recognized as a strong leader in ensuring racial, social and economic justice on many fronts.   Just to name a few;  2011 – Metropolitan State University’s 40th Alumni “Who have Made A difference” award’ 2013 - Twin Cities LISC and the Metropolitan Community Development Awards in the Community, The Merle Harris Community Service Award , 2016 – Awarded The Saint Paul Foundation for the Facing The Race Award, 2019 for her work as an Influential St Paul Developer in Community Development by the Goldstein Museum of Design and University of Minnesota’s College of Design, 2019inducted into the Hall of Fame in Community Development Twin Cities LISC and Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD), 2024 – Awarded the Virginia B. Kunz for the Article “Traveling Without Aggravation: How Victor H. Green Changed Travel for Black Americans: Green Book Locations in the Historic Rondo Community (1940-1956)” – Summer Issue 2022,  2024 – Minnesota History Award from the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums for the article “Traveling Without Aggravation: How Victor H. Green Changed Travel for Black Americans: Green Book Locations in the Historic Rondo Community (1940-1956)” – Summer Issue 2022, in 2025 presented the Win Back award, and 2026 Presented the Black Women Are Divine – “Celebrating Revolutionary Sistas” Minnesota Black Lives Matter award

 

She has three children, 17 Grandchildren, 14 Great-grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild. 



Vice President


Vice President Leo Gilliam

naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com

(651) 649-0520


Pastor Leo Gilliam, age 57, serves as the devoted Senior Pastor of Greater Bibleway Family Church International in Woodbury, Minnesota. His life and ministry reflect a deep commitment to God, the Church, and the people he is called to serve,

Pastor Gilliam began his ministry journey in 1984 at First Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of 15. Recognizing the call of God upon his life, he was ordained at the age of 17.

In June 1987, Pastor Gilliam relocated to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he continued his ministry and faithfully served for 20 years as an Associate Minister at Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church. During this time, he gained extensive experience in pastoral ministry, leadership, preaching, teaching, and community service.

Pastor Gilliam has been married to his wife, Phyllis Gilliam, for 25 years, and together they are blessed with nine children. His family remains a central and cherished part of his life and ministry.

He holds an Associate Degree in Theology and is currently pursuing further theological studies at Slidell Seminary in Slidell, Louisiana, where he is working toward his Bachelor’s Degree.

Pastor Leo Gilliam is recognized as a humble and principled man of integrity, whose heart is dedicated to serving God and His people. His ministry extends throughout Saint Paul and surrounding communities, where he continues to provide encouragement, spiritual guidance, and inspiration to many.

With a life fully surrendered to God’s will, Pastor Gilliam continues to allow the Lord to lead and use him. His testimony reflects perseverance, faithfulness, humility, and obedience to God’s call.

Pastor Leo Gilliam remains a faithful servant of God, committed to advancing the Kingdom and impacting lives through the power and love of Jesus Christ. 



Secretary


Shelley Arntson

naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com

(651) 649-0520

Shelley Arntson will be your initial contact with the Branch and will work with you to get your requests to the best committee members to make sure your voices are heard and your issues are addressed.

She's been a member of the Branch since October of 2020. 

She has 25+ years of experience supporting Executives which gives her a broad range of experience with communications, presentation design, meeting and event planning and management. 

In her  career with a major MN Corporation, she has  been involved in the Legal Department's Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee                      for over 10 years.  



Treasurer


Marquitta Ransom

naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com

(651) 649-0520


Assistant Treasurer

 



Interim Public Safety/Criminal Justice Chair


Jim Hilbert

Legal Redress Chair

naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com 


Health Committee Chair / Political Action Committee Chair



Patricia James

naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com

Patricia G. James is a Licensed Missionary, Advocate, Hospitality Worker, former Education Paraprofessional, and former Personal Care Assistant/Homemaker.

She joined the St. Paul Chapter of the NAACP in 2020 where she currently serves as the Health Committee Chair. Missionary James has also been a faithful member of the Minnesota Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ (COGIC) where she has served on several boards including hospitality for nearly 20 years.

Her most recent endeavors have led her to collaborate with the local Sheriff’s Departments in order to encourage a healthy relationship between the Police force and civilians. Patricia also works as an advocate for the organization known as the Community Stabilization Project (CSP) which she also joined in 2020. 


Education Committee Chair / Assistant Secretary

Julie has been an NAACP member for 10 years and an Education Committee
member for as long. She became chair in 2023.
She has served in the past as Assistant Secretary, and is currently the
Assistant Secretary.
She's
a retired physical therapist, who worked in school systems with
students who had various disabilities for most of her career. She has lived in
St Paul for 25 years.

Julie has been an NAACP member for 10 years and an Education Committee member for as long. She became chair in 2023.

She has served in the past as Assistant Secretary and is currently the Assistant Secretary. 

She's a retired physical therapist who worked in school systems with students who had various disabilities for most of her career. 

She has lived in St. Paul for 25 years.

CONTACT US

Tel: (651) 649-0520   -   @: naacpstpaul4052@gmail.com

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