The Altadena Branch of the NAACP was chartered into the National Association in March 1984, sparking a positive Civil change in economic growth and opportunity for minorities in Altadena. Because Altadena was an unincorporated community, the basis used for establishing a branch in Altadena, was different than its surrounding areas that were chartered cities.  After a thorough evaluation, the NAACP National Office determined that Altadena was indeed a unique community whose issues needed to be addressed within its own infrastructure.

Since 1984, the Altadena NAACP has played a major role in improving community relations. Of noteworthy mention, would be the interacting of the branch as an on-going intermediary with the community and the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As a result, the Altadena Sheriff's Station has become known as the station with the most positive local community involvement.

The Altadena NAACP has also been instrumental in recruiting qualified employees for local merchants. Today, Altadena businesses employ a larger percentage of minorities than most communities its size. There is still much improvement needed in this area and it remains a focus of the NAACP.

Many changes in the local educational system have come about because of intervention from the Altadena NAACP. We took the lead in forming the Black Coalition On Education, which was a great force used during the late 1980's in the Pasadena Unified School District. Changes such as additional promotions among teachers and staff, plus the creation of new positions across the entire district, resulted from the efforts of this group. Another change resulted from the NAACP Branch of Altadena filing a complaint with the Pasadena Unified School District because Altadena students were refused summer jobs due to their residence. The jurisdiction requirement was changed and qualified students were employed. The Altadena Branch also started a pre-enrollment counseling workshop for high school students preparing for college. This event, in partnership with Pasadena City College, has grown over the past 10 years and is currently a successful campus-wide event.

The Altadena Branch's renowned ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympic) Program is alive and doing very well. Talented youth of our community are encouraged and promoted to excel in their entrepreneurial endeavors. They compete with others in their field on a local, regional and eventually at the NAACP National Convention. Many over the years have won in the national competition and have gone on to become successful adults in their area of expertise.

Other Altadena NAACP victories include:

- The Rodney King case
- Intervening to protect Altadena during the Los Angeles riots
- The Rose Bowl employment discrimination cases
- The Michael Zinzan case

Since receiving its charter, many challenges, cases and issues have been faced and won by the Altadena Branch.

The NAACP Altadena Branch President past and present are:

- Mrs. "Tony" Stewart who served four two-year terms and currently holds the honorary title "President Emeritus"

- Mr. Julal Sudan who served three two-year terms

- Dr. Edith Gonsal who served one two-year term

- Dr. Sandra E. Thomas who served [??] two-year terms

- Mrs. Barbara Bigby who is the current President

With the enthusiasm, knowledge, energy and vision of the current leadership, the Altadena Branch will again fulfill its role as the leader in Civil Right issues and continue to live up to its coined slogan:  "Making The Difference in Our Community"