Binghamton Pastor Leads NAACP, Pushes for Change

Reverend Damond Wilson fights for equity and justice in the community.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Reverend Damond Wilson, the pastor of Trinity AME Zion Church in Binghamton, New York, is also the President of the Broome-Tioga NAACP. He is working to bring change to the community, including efforts to rename Columbus Park, which was originally a Black neighborhood in the 1800s. Wilson believes Black history is American history and wants to ensure people are treated justly and fairly.

Why it matters

Wilson's leadership roles in the church and NAACP give him a platform to advocate for underrepresented communities and push for meaningful change in Binghamton. His efforts to rename Columbus Park aim to recognize the area's overlooked Black history and correct historical inaccuracies.

The details

As NAACP President, Wilson is working with Binghamton City Council to rename Columbus Park, which was originally a Black neighborhood in the 1800s where Trinity AME Zion Church and the first school for Black students were located. Wilson says the effort is not against Christopher Columbus or the Italian community, but an opportunity to acknowledge the area's true history.

  • In 2023, Wilson became the pastor at Trinity AME Zion Church in Binghamton.
  • Wilson has been in talks with Binghamton City Council about renaming Columbus Park.

The players

Reverend Damond Wilson

The pastor of Trinity AME Zion Church in Binghamton and the President of the Broome-Tioga NAACP, working to bring change and equity to the community.

Trinity AME Zion Church

A church in Binghamton where Wilson serves as pastor and which was originally located in the Black neighborhood that is now Columbus Park.

Broome-Tioga NAACP

The local branch of the NAACP that Wilson leads as President, fighting for the rights and equity of people of color in the community.

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What they’re saying

“Black history is American history. It's not its own separate category. Just like Latino, Latinx history is American history, just like LGBTQ+ is American history. We have to stop siloing and creating these nice little bubbles for people and their history.”

— Reverend Damond Wilson, Pastor, Trinity AME Zion Church

“Really what brings me here is my passion for the community, because I am a servant at heart. I want to make sure that I do my part in making sure that people are treated justly and fairly. So, what better way to do that than through the church and through an organization like the NAACP.”

— Reverend Damond Wilson, Pastor, Trinity AME Zion Church

“If you ask people about Sherman Place neighborhood, most people would just scratch their head like what is that? Is that in Binghamton? But this is opportunity for us to address that and to correct it. So, I just want people to put yourself in someone else's shoes because if it happened to you, you would want someone to say or do something to try to make it right.”

— Reverend Damond Wilson, Pastor, Trinity AME Zion Church

What’s next

Wilson says he has been in talks with Binghamton City Council on renaming Columbus Park and bringing reinvestment to the area, and as of now, the matter is in the hands of City Hall.

The takeaway

Reverend Damond Wilson's dual roles as pastor and NAACP President give him a powerful platform to advocate for equity and justice in Binghamton. His efforts to rename Columbus Park aim to correct historical inaccuracies and recognize the area's overlooked Black history, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring all members of the community are treated fairly.