Local NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet to be held on Oct. 30

The Alachua County branch of the NAACP after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic will host its Freedom Fund Banquet.

The guest speaker, who was not chosen by the time The Guardian went to press on Tuesday, will be someone who will speak passionately and eloquently about issues that our vehemently fought for by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), especially voting, said Evelyn Foxx, president of the NAACP branch in Alachua County.

“We are hoping to motivate everyone to vote,” Foxx said. "Voting is power and it's very important people know how important it is to vote. We have been working non-stop to get people energized and registered to vote."

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the oldest grassroots civil rights organization in America, and is as relevant as ever and is emboldened to continue the fight against racism, Foxx said.

The theme of this year's banquet will be “This Is Power,” which aligns with the theme of the National NAACP Convention. Tickets to attend the banquet cost $80 each, and can be purchased from Foxx or any other NAACP member. The deadline to purchase tickets is Oct. 22, and it will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th St.

For more information,  visit the organization's website at https://naacpacb.org.

Despite the pandemic, Foxx said the NAACP has been working nonstop while adhering to the CDC guidelines.

The branch is working hard to encourage people to register to vote and to actually vote in the upcoming election on Nov. 8 that will include local, state and federal elected offices on the ballot, Foxx said.

The banquet is the only public fundraiser for the NAACP.

As in previous years, the organization will present awards to community members. To make a nomination, submit a letter of 300 words or less in length using 12 point font regarding the nominee via email to acnaacp@gmail.com or by mail to NAACP Award Selection Committee, PO Box 5014, Gainesville, Florida, 32627-5014. For questions or additional information, send an email to acnaacp@gmail.com. Submissions must be postmarked no later than Oct. 7.

Please note that nominees are eligible to receive one NAACP award in a 10 year time period.

How to nominate someone for awards

Below are the criteria for the awards.

The Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Wright Leadership Award

The nominee must have led an organization which improves people’s lives, addresses issues critical to the quality of life for African Americans; is highly effective at achieving positive change and helps to build bridges for people with different viewpoints and backgrounds.

NAACP Community Service Award

The nominee demonstrates unselfish devotion of “volunteer” time and energy to improving the lives of others; has a positive impact upon the direction and success of community projects, programs or individuals, and has a strong concern and passion for creating a better community.

 NAACP Business Service Award

The nominee is a business whose contributions demonstrate an allegiance with African Americans in the community; a business which promotes the opportunities, rights and the advancement of African Americans and is a business that partners with the African American community through its support and financial contributions.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: The banquet, only public fundraiser for the NAACP, founded in 1906.