Local NAACP branch to present awards at centennial celebration
For its centennial anniversary on Saturday, the Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP will host Ivan Whitfield of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the guest speaker.
Whitfield is the retired chief of the Pine Bluff Police Department. He is third ward alderman for the city of Pine Bluff.
In Ma, Ivan announced his bid for mayor of the city of Pine Bluff. He is a 2011 graduate of the University of Pine Bluff. He is also a past president of the Pine Bluff local chapter of the NAACP.
The Greater Texarkana
Branch of the NAACP will also recognize several individuals.
This year’s awardees are as follows:
■ A.E. Alton Educational Award — Kendrick Smith, Liberty Eylau High School principal
■ John Jay Jones, Sr. Community Service Award — Damien Davis
■ Dr. S.A. Stuckey Religious Affairs Award –
Dr. Kai Horn
■ Dr. G.W. Professional Award — Dr. DeWitt “Charles” Fortenberry
■ Dr. Shirley Finn Trailblazer Award – Dorothy Henderson
■ Dan Haskins
Torch Bearer Award — Gerald Brooks
■ Benjamin Dennis President’s Award – Beverly Jack Webb
■ Dr. Calvin Rolark Business and Economic Award — Aramni Valentino
■ Lifetime Achievement Award — the Rev. Louie B. George
The Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP was chartered in 1918. Robert Jones serves as the local president.
The 100th anniversary Freedom Fund Awards Banquet will be held at 7 p.m. in the Texarkana Convention Center, 4610 Cowhorn Creek, Texarkana, Texas.
Individual tickets are $60 each or a reserved table of eight for $500. For more information, contact Robert Jones at 903-278-7248 or Melva Flowers at 903-2441963 or banquet.naacp@gmail.com.