Published: November 23, 2009 04:00 pm      

100 AND COUNTING: NAACP marks anniversary with Freedom Fund Banquet

Members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People — including elected officials and local business partners — attended the organization’s Freedom Fund Banquet, celebrating their 100th anniversary, under the theme “Bold Dreams and Big Victories,” Saturday afternoon.

About 110 members and guests attended the luncheon at Culbertson West, including Mayor Doug England, State Senator Connie Sipes and Congressman Baron Hill. The Spiritual Wonders — a singing group from Louisville — entertained the crowd. Jeffrey Johnson, political motivator and former National Director for the NAACP’s Youth and College Division, delivered the keynote address.

Nicole Yates, president of the New Albany chapter of the NAACP, has been a member of the organization for about 10 years and served also as the Mistress of Ceremony. The goals of the local chapter are to get people involved and engaged in political action, community and support economic and social justice, said Yates.

Congressman Baron Hill received a standing ovation before he spoke to the crowd.

“You are to be commended for the great work you have done,” said Hill. “You have changed America for the better and you fought like hell to get there.”

Hill also spoke about the importance of health care reform. Many leaders and supporters of the Democratic party attended the banquet, including members of the Floyd County Democrats.

“It is time to make this happen,” said Hill. “It’s our party that’s going to do it. We got it started, let’s do it again in 2010.”

Mayor Doug England officially proclaimed Nov. 21 “National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Day” and spoke to the crowd, stressing the importance of supporting President Barack Obama.

“I think everyone in this room and everyone in the country had a big victory in 2008,” Mayor England said . “Now we’re being tested. The country is behind him and we must continue to support.”

State Senator Connie Sipes also spoke to the crowd, announcing that although she is not planning to run in the next election, she will remain available to local residents. She also spoke about goals she hopes to achieve.

“We have major issues facing Indiana,” said Sipes.

Key issues, Sipes outlined, included the high rate of unemployment, a need for ethics reform and whether or not to include property tax regulations in the state constitution.

Several business owners were also in attendance, including Susan Hewitt of Postal Business Centers, which also printed the banquet’s program.

“I want to support the NAACP in New Albany and their commitment to working in the community,” said Hewitt.

Longtime member Gini Kane expressed her concerns about divisions existing in our current political climate before she introduced keynote speaker, Jeffrey Johnson.

“Not a majority, but a few are not only against Barack Obama, but against our country,” Kane said. “The world looks to us as leaders.”

“This is a great opportunity,” said Jeffrey Johnson prior to speaking to the crowd. “The NAACP does great work that people in the community need to do. I’m pleased and honored to be invited.”

Johnson said the NAACP provided him with the training to be successful and he is always honored to speak before NAACP members. He also spoke about the banquet’s theme of “Bold Dreams and Big Victories” and encouraged members to continue to work towards the group’s goals.

“Bold dreams require several other aspects before you get to big victories,” said Johnson. “We need to insert brilliant strategy.”