The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
NAACP HOLDS BANQUET
Supporters encouraged to get involved, vote in midterm elections
The Elyria Unit of the NAACP hosted their 63rd annual Freedom Fund Banquet at LCCC’s Spitzer Conference Center on Oct. 6.
With the mid-term elections one month away, the NA ACP encouraged supporters to get involved and demand the change they desired with this year’s theme, “NAACP: Defeat Hate – Vote.”
Keynote speaker, attorney and Cleveland-native Joi L. Travis, Esq. recounted her journey in following her own passion that drew her to law, working throughout law school to eventually opening her own firm.
Travis is currently based in Birmingham, Alabama and
“We have to continue to be loud and be clear. NAACP it’s time to make some noise...”
— Keynote speaker, attorney and Cleveland-native Joi L. Travis
currently is the political director for the campaign to elect Joseph Siegelman as Alabama Attorney General.
Reflecting on the civil rights warriors of the past, she encouraged leaders to mobilize our youth and make youth involvement in civic engagement a major priority.
“These people did not do the work because it was fun, because it was lucrative, sexy or glorious. It was done because it was an integral part of the advancement of our people and our communities,” Travis said.
“Because I was exposed at a young age of the work knocking on doors and making phone calls, civic engagement was second nature to me. It has partly defined who I am today. So I ask each of you in here, what do you stand for. What will you be known for? And most importantly, what is your contribution to society,” Travis added.
She said with the NAACP the organization needs to continue pushing forward in demanding a seat a table and taking proactive action along with guiding youth on how to run campaign and mobilize a movement.
“We have to continue to be loud and be clear. NAACP it’s time to make some noise. We have been silent for too long. It’s not enough to make noise around election time and it’s not enough to make noise around national convention time and it’s not enough to make noise around the civic hearings,” Travis said.
In her opening remarks, Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda thanked the NAACP for
their partnership with the Elyria Works Now program, providing opportunities to connect Elyria residents with jobs and reflected on the contemporary role of the NA ACP.
“The bottom line is, we can’t allow ourselves to be disenfranchised. We must vote. And now I think it’s more important than ever to listen to the NAACP’s message and mission and I think it’s as relevant today as it was 60 years ago,” Brinda said.
The Elyria mayor delivered a proclamation declaring Oct. 5 as Elyria NAACP Freedom Fund Day recognizing the NAACP’s leadership and positive impact in the Elyria community.
THE Elyria NAACP also handed out a number of awards
Book Scholarship Awards were presented to:
• Zion J. Corn (Belmont University; Elyria High School)
• Alexis Fields (LCCC, Lorain High School)
• Alyssia Starks (Central State University, Elyria High School)
• Britney Ware (Hiram College, Oberlin High School)
• Octavia Allen Whitfield (Howard University, LCCC Early College/Elyria High School).
Community Service Awards:
• Original Glorious Apostolic Church
• True Vine Primitive Baptist Church Distinguished Leadership Awards:
• Regan L. Phillips
• Chief Duane Whitely, Elyria Police Department Unsung Shero Award:
• Elizabeth E. (Beth) Thames President’s Award:
• Roberta Hildreth