Detroit Branch NAACP Celebrated the 68th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner

The Detroit Branch NAACP continues to make history, as it has done many times before. The June Jubilee Celebration of Freedom took place on the weekend of June 23rd-25th. Consisting of several events, it started with the unveiling of Detroit's very first statue, of the late, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Covered in Bronze, the sculpture is set to remain in the heart of the city, known as Hart Plaza. As the weekend continued, so did the celebration. The Freedom Walk took place on Saturday, June 24th and all roads lead to the Freedom Fund Dinner the next day.

Being one of the premier NAACP events that takes place, the "June Jubilee", drew thousands of people from all walks of life into the Huntington Place. This year's dinner was remarkable, as it marked 60 years since Dr. King had last spoken to the people of Detroit. The famous "I Have a Dream" speech was first recited by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in Downtown Detroit. For some individuals, who are of age, they remember that day and how it made a lasting impression.

Once you stepped foot into the Grand Ballroom, you were met with the feeling of excitement as you traveled down the red carpet. Family, friends and colleagues were seen having fun as they walked to find their seats and tables. The Freedom Fund Dinner was so big in the number of attendees that it had to be broken down into four separate sections with each section having their own dais.

As the night continued, attendees were met with speeches that were given to them by dignitaries from all across the United States and the State of Michigan. Guest included some familiar names like the Honorable Mayor Mike Duggan, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Senator Gary Peters just to name a few, along with President of the Detroit Branch NAACP, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony.

Running longer than expected for some attendees, they could be seen exiting the ballroom. However, many guest remained and greeted Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock with a standing ovation, as he took the dais. Senator Warnock took the people on a journey about the hardships that he experienced while running for Senator. By the end of the night, he gave charge to the people as he said, "We must fight for our democracy". He continued on by saying that he fights for democracy because he believes that democracy is the political enactment of a spiritual idea. Attendees left the Freedom Fund dinner feeling inspired and the willingness to continue on "The Fight". Overall, Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock was candid and that resonated with the attendees because there was connection there that all could relate to the things that he spoke about.

This year, there were five individuals that were awarded by the Detroit Branch NAACP. Ambassador Andrew Young received the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award and the Honorable Kyra H. Bolden was awarded the Ida B Wells Freedom and Justice Award. In no particular order, lastly, Erin Keith, Esq., and Ken Nixon both received the Great Expectations Award, while the Honorable Stephanie Chang was awarded the Mary Church Terrell Freedom and Justice Award.

As a community, together we must continue the fight for freedom and justice. In the words of the late, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love".