Jimel Calliste serves as President of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP, a title he has held since November 2020. He is also the Advisor of the Pennsylvania NAACP State Conference Youth and College Division, serving as the youngest in history for both positions. President Calliste spearheaded the founding committee at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in 2015. He is a nationally certified NAACP civic engagement trainer and used the skills learned to organize over 10 universities across the commonwealth for a unified voter registration, engagement and turnout initiative in 2018.

In 2019, he joined the NAACP's NextGen Program, which provides comprehensive leadership and advocacy training for young adults on a mission to become the next generation of civil rights leaders. Successful graduates become boots on the ground in their communities and local NAACP branches, sustaining the fight for equality for all. A longstanding member and leader of the NAACP, Mr. Calliste is helping guide the Wilkes-Barre branch through a period of re-envisioning and reinvigoration.

Under President Calliste’s leadership, the branch has undertaken such efforts as the reinstatement of their Youth Council (Unit 29 AM), establishing new committees such as Housing, Young Adult, Entertainment, Grants, and the Covid-19 Strikeforce. Their 2021 Freedom Fund banquet was the best attended in branch history. The branch’s social media footprint has grown with the launch of YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn profiles.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Calliste attended High School for Civil Rights, and Law in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Calliste is a young activist who has dedicated much of his career to defending the rights and improving the lives of the underserved. As President of the Bloomsburg University NAACP, he led critical campaigns for voting registration and diversity amongst campus faculty and staff. He supported the formation of the Bloomsburg University Beyond the Fountain Event, an event for dialogue about racism in Bloomsburg between students of color and the community.

President Calliste is frequently featured on PALIVE, WBRE/WYOU, CBS, ABC and many others, advocating on behalf of the Black community and all those who are affected by systemic oppression and prejudice.

Interested in hearing Jimel speak at the 2022 Young Professionals Conference? Get more information on the event and get tickets HERE!