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Addressing the nation's oldest civil rights organization 100 years after its inception, President Barack Obama paid tribute to the achievements of the NAACP -- paving the way for what he says was his historic presidential win.

"Because of them, I stand before you and I thank you," Obama said.

During his speech, Mr. Obama warned against assumptions that his presidency symbolizes the end of racism in the country.

"Make no mistake: the pain of discrimination is still felt in America," he said.

The speech marks Obama's first in the city, and the first focusing on race since he took office in January. He also called on parents to take more active roles in their childs' lives and for young African-Americans to rise above the challenges of inequality and discrimination.

"We have to say to our children, `Yes, if you're African-American, the odds of growing up amid crime and gangs are higher. Yes, if you live in a poor neighborhood, you will face challenges that someone in a wealthy suburb does not,"' Obama said. "But that's not a reason to get bad grades, that's not a reason to cut class, that's not a reason to give up on your education and drop out of school. No one has written your destiny for you. Your destiny is in your hands and don't you forget that."

Obama rallied the audience to support many of his major initiatives including health care and energy reform as well as his administration's economic policies -- framing them as part of the NAACP's goals.

"All these things will make America stronger and more competitive," Obama said. "They will drive innovation, create jobs, and provide families more security."

NAACP President Ben Jealous heralded Obama's speech as groundbreaking.

"Bottom line, this has been the most forthright speech on the disparities between people in this country that he's talked about," said Jealous.

President Obama is hoping to carry the support of the NAACP in the months and years ahead as he tries to push controversial initiatives in Washington, D.C.