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New Spokane NAACP head looks to future after Dolezal scandal

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  • In this March 2 file photo

SPOKANE, Wash. >> The new president of the Spokane, Washington, NAACP says she wants to focus on repairing the damage from the recent Rachel Dolezal controversy.

Naima Quarles-Burnley last month replaced Dolezal, who resigned amid questions about her racial identity after her parents said she was a white woman pretending to be black.

Quarles-Burnley tells The Spokesman-Review the episode hurt the organization because people questioned the group’s integrity. But the chapter’s new leader says she’s committed to moving forward and showing that the actions of one don’t reflect on all.

One of the first goals will be to fill positions within the chapter’s executive committee. Quarles-Burnley also wants to work on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in the African-American community and prepare for a regional NAACP conference this fall.

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