The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
NAACP holds annual Freedom Fund banquet
The Elyria Unit of the NAACP held their 62nd annual Freedom Fund banquet at LCCC’s Spitzer Conference Center in Elyria Oct. 7.
This year’s theme was “NAACP: Steadfast and Immovable” and the organization honored local high school students and community leaders as they continue their work in advocating for equal rights.
“It reminds us as an organization that we are intent upon fulfilling the vision and mission of the NAACP and founders to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without racial hatred or discrimination,” wrote Elyria NAACP President Ardelia “Dee” Tolbert in a letter to supporters.
Keynote speaker Janaye Ingram encouraged guests to be transformational in honoring the NAACP’s role in fighting for justice to move forward in the civil rights challenges of the present.
“Resistance in itself is not enough. If we really want to see improvements in our society we have to be transformational.”
Ingram serves as Director of National Partnerships for AirBnb and
“Resistance in itself is not enough. If we really want to see improvements in our society we have to be transformational.” — Keynote speaker Janaye Ingram
planned the Women’s March on Washington in January 17 as the head of logistics and served as executive director of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Rev. Al Sharpton.
With a growing national profile for her commitment to civil rights, Ingram said the NAACP continues to lead in addition to consistently keeping their members inyears
volved and engaged.
“It’s over a hundred old and I think at this point it’s continued to show leadership in communities,” Ingram said. “NAACP has shown that their commitment to justice and fighting for equity has never wavered and they are definitely a strong voice.”
Lorain County native Rev. Thomas L. Bowen served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Bowen is based in Washington, D.C. where he is the director of the Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs.
“This is a celebration of the NAACP. Every branch
has a celebration so that we can draw attention to its work currently, historically, and also as a way to raise funds to continue the work, “Bowens said.
“I think Elyria, particularly working class people and people of color, our times are quite different. A lot of things people fought for over the years are being challenged. Things like, how do you take care of our workers, how do you make sure that everyone has an opportunity to exercise his or her god given talents at an equal level as anyone else,” Bowen said.
The Elyria NAACP handed out a number of awards:
Educational Books Awards (Marquise C. Dukes Jr., Kahlel Hale and Daija Smith; Appreciation Awards (Joe Firmed Chevrolet, Lavon L. Knowles Sr. and Rhonda Washington); Community Service Awards (Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Elyria and WNZN Power 89.1 FM); Distinguished Leadership Award (Mattie L. Bright); Unsung Hero Awards (Samuel M. Battle and T. Douglas Grayson); President’s Award (Thelma Adams).