For many, the Civil Rights Struggle is never ending.

Dr. Charles Smith, a Demopolis native, continues to push for some of the same things he and others pushed and fought for in the 1960s,

Smith, who currently serves as Secretary of the Georgia State Conference NAACP, was re-elected in November to a fifth term unopposed as President of the Augusta, Georgia NAACP Branch. Recently, his branch was recognized for it efforts in leading the charge for racial equality.

The Augusta Branch won the Southeast Region Political Action Award for Voter Registration, Voter Empowerment, Civic Engagement and Election Protection at their Regional Training Institute held in Montgomery last week.

Additionally, Smith was awarded the Medger Evers Award for his work in Social Justice and leadership during the year. The Medger Evers Award is presented annually to the top leaders in the NAACP Southeast Region who exemplify and display the courage and leadership Medger Evers exhibited while working as the Field Director for the Mississippi NAACP prior to being killed.

“(I was) humbled by the award,” Smith said. “Nothing made it more prestigious than to have it presented by the NAACP national president and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, and national Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Leon Russell.”

Smith is a Silver Life Member and Gold Subscribing Life Member and was elected Vice Chair of the National Credential Committee.

He is also a recipient of two NAACP National Million Dollar Club awards, a two time winner of the NAACP National Club 100K Award and will receive his third award at the National Convention in Los Angeles in July.