We’re all for it: Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet held; awards ceremony – Salisbury Post

1 from 8

Karen Boykin-Townes, Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, was the keynote speaker. — Karen Kistler

Kaisha Brown (right) receives the Presidential Medal of Honor from local NAACP President Jemal Black. — Karen Kistler

Courtney Sawyer-Smith (left) received the Lady Justice Membership Award. It was presented by President Jemal Black. — Karen Kistler

Catawba College’s Peeler Crystal Hall was elegantly decorated for the occasion. — Karen Kistler

Dinazi Brown, left, received the Youth Leadership Award presented by President Jamal Black. — Karen Kistler

Linda Black was awarded the Laurie Graham Award. President Jemal Black made the presentation. — Karen Kistler

Ben Jeloz, executive director of the Sierra Club and former national president and CEO of the NAACP, called for action. — Karen Kistler

Rebecca Stinson (left) and Keith Holland sang a few pieces. — Karen Kistler

The theme of the 30th annual Freedom Fund Banquet, held in Catawba College’s Peeler Crystal Lounge, was “All Done.”

The hall was packed for this landmark event, which is a longstanding tradition that helps fund programs such as the Financial Literacy Series, Color of Change Youth Initiative and Voter Education.

The keynote speaker at the banquet was Karen Boykin-Townes, Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors.

Noting some special people at the event, Boykin-Townes said she stood before the group “at a crucial time in our country’s history, and what gives me hope is that members and supporters like you and bridges like this are doing the hard work each and every day”.

She added that the NAACP has been on the front lines of justice for 115 years, and urged those not affiliated with the NAACP to join and get to work.

With a smile, she said she had a new friend in ChatGPT, then went on to describe how it describes what “all in” means — “giving yourself fully to a task, goal, or situation without holding back. It involves devoting your time, energy, and focus to achieving success regardless of challenges and risks.”

Are you all set,” Boykintown asked the crowd, to which they responded, “All set,” and she said, “I’m ready, because the stakes can not to be taller.”

Voting, she told them, is not just a right, it is the cornerstone of democracy and the most powerful tool we have to shape our society.

She also said that every vote that is “our strength represents the future of our civil liberties, our rights to fair representation and the preservation of the freedoms we hold dear.”

Encouraging everyone to vote, Boykin-Towns echoed what Jamail Black, president of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP, had previously told the group that they are nonpartisan and do not support political candidates or parties, but they are political and focused on issues that are important to the community to help them not just survive, but thrive.

She said they face adversaries at every level, federal, state and local, but, she continued, “these attacks are not new, and our determination is not new either, because we know when we are fighting,” and the crowd said “we win”. »

She stressed to the group that “we’re all in” and it’s their job to get out, vote and protect democracy, rights and the future of future generations.

“Together we can be the change we want to see,” Boykin-Towns said. “Let’s make history, Salisbury Rowan, because we’re all in this, and we’re all we’ve got.”

Additional comments were shared during the banquet by Azenda King, Salisbury Police Officer; Benjamin Jelows, executive director of the Sierra Club and former national president and CEO of the NAACP; and Black, who gave closing remarks, thanking everyone for attending.

Minister Sonia Galloway of Dorsett Chapel served as master of ceremonies, introducing each person who participated, which also included the Rev. Dr. Jajuan Kyles, pastor of Southern City Tabernacle AME Zion Church, who gave the initiation and benediction; Star Robinson-Russell, associate professor of health and wellness at Livingston College, who shared her congratulations; Teresa Moore-Mitchell, Rebecca Stinson and Keith Holland, who each provided entertainment; and executive committee members Macon Stewart and Kaysha Brown, who announced the award recipients.

Special awards were presented to three NAACP members who were recognized for their dedication and support of the organization. Among them:

• Dynazty Brown, who received the Youth Leadership Service Award.

• Courtney Sawyer-Smith, who received the Lady Justice Membership Award, the highest honor the local chapter can bestow.

• Linda Black, who received the Lori Graham Award, a statewide honor given to “a woman whose service has gone above and beyond,” Brown said in announcing her recipient.

The fourth award was presented by President Black when he announced that they were presenting the Presidential Medal of Honor. It is, he said, “the highest honor given to a dedicated member, announcing Kaisha Brown as the winner. He said she understands the mission and vision, and she believes in the community.

Boykin Town and Jealous were also presented with Lady of Justice Awards.

Three local organizations were also honored with Champion of Change Awards for their commitment to promoting equality and supporting community wellbeing. Recipients were Next Generation Academy, Salisbury Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Women for Community Justice.

Event sponsors were thanked and recognized for their support and dedication to the work and mission of the NAACP. These included the city of Salisbury, Livingston College, and Catawba College. Table sponsors were also called forward and recognized for their help that “made the mission possible,” Brown said.