Alachua County branch NAACP held annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet in Gainesville
Leaders were awarded for their service to the Gainesville community at this year’s Alachua County branch NAACP's annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet.
Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet
"Take a train ride with me on the 2023 annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet train," said Diyonne McGraw, who helped preside over the ceremony. "Tonight we will travel to the destination of reflection and resolution. Enough is enough. It is time, Alachua County, to be reflective and problem solvers. No more complaints. We are thriving together. United we stand, divided we fall.
Mike Powell, 1st vice president of the Alachua County branch NAACP, also presided over the banquet held Sunday evening at the Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel in northwest Gainesville.
Standing together as a community
Yvette Carter, banquet chairperson, gave the welcome.
"It is important that we stand together as a community," Carter said. "We implore you to thrive with us. Let's get into some good trouble together."
Distinguished greetings
Greetings were delivered by State Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, Alachua County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chesnut IV, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and Alachua County School Board member Leanetta McNealy.
Guest speaker is social justice advocate
Kristen Cooper, the local NAACP’s youth president, introduced the guest speaker, Brendien Mitchell Jr.
Mitchell, an Ocala native and graduate of Howard University and George Washington University, both in Washington, D.C.,m is known for his social justice advocacy and youth empowerment work.
"There will always be something to fight for when there's someone bringing harm to others," said Mitchell, whose commentary has been featured on and in media outlets such as MSNBC, USA Today, CNN, CSPAN, TV One, Billboard, BET and Buzzfeed to name a few. "It's about all of us or none of us."
Mitchell said acting on the truth is imperative to see the results communities want to see.
"We are at a ground zero moment " Mitchell said. "Our goal is to be the carriers of truth. We must tell the truth no matter how uncomfortable I makes us. Once we know, we must act upon it."
Presentation of awards
NAACP President of the Alachua County Chapter Evelyn Foxx and Melvena Wilson, the NAACP health committee member, presented awards to this year’s recipients.
The banquet also featured the Rev. Ron Rawls, pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, receiving the Tomas A. Wright Leadership Award from the chapter.
Community advocates and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members Connie Lee and Gwendolyn Saffo received the Community Service Award. Powell, founder and CEO of Mike Powell and Associates: Academic, Athletic & Scholarship Consulting LLC, received the Business Service Award.
Mike Powell: Mike Powell & Associates LLC
NAACP lifetime members honored
Evelyn Foxx, chapter president, also gave plaques to lifetime members of the chapter.
The recipients were Evelyn Mickle, Marcus Brinson, Sam Wesley, Portia Taylor, Alena Lawson Bennett, Bessie Jackson, Cynthia Curry and Lindsey Saari.
"Give our elders their flowers while their still here"
Foxx presented the President’s Award to multiple NAACP members — past and present.
"We must give our elders their flowers while their still here," Foxx said.
Yvonne Rawls, who served as chapter treasurer for 20 years, was one of the recipients.
Current treasurer Jackie Hart-Williams received the President’s Award and Darry Lloyd and Cynthia Cooper were also given the President's Award for revitalizing the local chapter's youth council.
"My mom puts in a lot of effort," said Kristen Cooper, the daughter of Cynthia Cooper, accepting the award on her mother's behalf. "Her goal in life is to get you to where you need to go."
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Banquet held to raise funds and honor local NAACP members in Gainesville
