Western Wayne County NAACP hosts 27th Freedom Fund Dinner on October 20 Warren Evans and Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hadidi, M.D selected as Honorary Chairs Andrea Hunter to serve as Keynote Speaker

Dearborn, Mich., October 8, 2024 –The Western Wayne County NAACP will hold its 27th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner at Fairlane Banquet Center, 700 Town Center Drive in Dearborn, on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Serving as 2024 Honorary Chairs are Warren Evans, Wayne County Executive, and Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hadidi, M.D., founder of the World Peace Association, a non-profit organization providing community service, bridge building, and promoting peace.

Elected as Wayne County executive in 2015, Evans' leadership and commitment as a public servant also includes service to the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, The Parade Company, Michigan Association of Counties, and the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Selected to join Evans as an honorary chair, Dr. Al-Hadidi is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care. In addition to the medical care he provides patients, Dr. Al-Hadidi established Stockbridge Enterprises in 1995, to fulfill a passion for community service and charity work. He also serves as board chair of the Michigan Muslim Community Council, which seeks to improve human rights and relationships in the United States.

United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1299 President Andrea Hunter will be the evening's keynote speaker. In 2018, she became the first African American and female to become the chapter's president. After years of service in production and as an electrician, Hunter retired from the United States Steel Corporation to work for AFSCME Michigan, negotiating contracts for both public and private sector represented workers of Michigan. In 2024, she was appointed to the Michigan Women's Commission (MWC) by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

In addition to Hunter's keynote address, awards will be presented to Vicki Dobbins, city of River Rouge, Lifetime Achievement Award; In'Dia Harris, Inkster, Great Expectations Award; Lisa Martin, Van Buren Township, Freedom and Justice Award; Delta Sigma Theta – Inkster Chapter, organization for Exceptional Service to the Community; Ruby D. Richards, Westland, individual Exceptional Service to the Community; John Hearn, Jr., Inkster, Trailblazer Award; and Senator Stephanie Chang, District 3, Outstanding Elected Official.

"With the support of our esteemed honorary chairs, an inspiring presenter breaking glass ceilings, generous sponsors including lead sponsor DTE, steadfast members and guests, the 2024 theme of "Build and Thrive" is truly representative of who we are and what we do," said Gina Wilson Steward, president of Western Wayne County NAACP. "This annual dinner event is one not to be missed."

Doors open at 4:00pm and program begins at 5:00pm.

To purchase tickets for the Freedom Fund dinner visit http://www.westernwaynecountynaacp.com. For more information, email [email protected] or call Dakima Jackson at 734-419-1973.

Western Wayne County NAACP is continuing to grow and build partnerships with people, businesses, organizations and elected officials throughout the Western Wayne County area. These relationships are helping us fight to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.

The Western Wayne County NAACP represents citizens in 24 of the cities is Wayne County; ALLEN PARK, BELLEVILLE, BROWNSTOWN, CANTON, DEARBORN, DEARBORN HEIGHTS, ECORSE, GARDEN CITY, INKSTER, LINCOLN PARK, LIVONIA, MELVINDALE, NEW BOSTON, NORTHVILLE, PLYMOUTH, REDFORD, RIVER ROUGE, ROMULUS, SUMPTER TWP, TAYLOR,

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, WAYNE, WESTLAND AND WYANDOTTE