10 to Watch; Scott Teamer
Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 5, 2014
Since becoming the president of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP, Scott Teamer has raised the profile of the local organization and drawn attention to issues affecting some of Rowan County’s most vulnerable.
Teamer was installed as president in October 2012 and shortly after a push for voter education and registration.
The NAACP, with Teamer at the helm, has also tackled tough issues, including allegations of misconduct by Salisbury Police and East Spencer Police departments.
But Teamer tries to avoid the spotlight. He agreed to an interview with a Post reporter for this story and then declined shortly before the interview was scheduled, saying he did not want to be the focus of an article.
In May, he was one of 30 people arrested during protests at the state legislature in Raleigh. Teamer said at the time that some of the bills that came out of Raleigh were aimed at suppressing minorities and poor people. Protestors criticized many of the General Assembly’s bills, including a controversial Voter ID bill.
Teamer was instrumental in organizing a Moral Monday protest held in Salisbury. After the legislative session ended, weekly protests that began in Raleigh spread to other cities in the state.
In June, Teamer initiated and the NAACP board approved a move of its headquarters from South Main Street in Salisbury to Northside Economic Development Center in East Spencer. Teamer said the board felt the organization wanted to make an impact in a town that needs support.
A resident of Salisbury and graduate of North Rowan High School, Teamer owns Elite Bonding. Teamer is a military veteran. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and formerly worked for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy, the N.C. Department of Corrections and the N.C. Youth Services Division. He is a licensed private investigator and formerly owned Elite Security.
— Shavonne Potts