Author Archives: DETROIT BRANCH NAACP

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi to Serve as Keynote Speaker for 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner

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Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony announced U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) as the Keynote Speaker for the 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.  The Detroit Branch NAACP 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Cobo Conference Center.  Congresswoman Pelosi is the first woman to ever serve as Speaker of the House.  She served as Speaker of the House from 2007-2011. 

In addition to announcing Congresswoman Pelosi as the Keynote Speaker Rev. Anthony also announced the following award recipients:

2013 Great Expectations Awardee

Bankole Thompson

Senior Editor, Michigan Chronicle

2013 Great Expectations Awardee
Dean Jocelyn Benson
Dean, Wayne State University Law School

2013 Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Awardee
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Professor, Georgetown University and Author

2013 Mary Church Terrell Freedom and Justice Awardee
Honorable JoAnn Watson
Councilwoman, City of Detroit

For more information on purchasing tickets, tables and sponsorships please call 313-871-2087. 

 

Detroit Branch NAACP and UAW Unveil Plans for the 50th Anniversary March Down Woodward

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Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School announcing the partnership with the UAW to lead the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward on June 22, 2013.

The Detroit Branch NAACP, UAW and many leaders from the faith-based, labor, civic, corporate and grassroots community held a press conference at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School to announce the plans for the 50th Anniversary March Down Woodward.  In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led an historic march down Woodward Avenue where he first delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.  The theme for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March is “50 Years Later: We Shall Not Default On Our Freedom.”  The March will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 beginning at 9:00 A.M. at the corners of Woodward and Forest.  The March will be chaired by James Settles, International UAW Ford Vice President.  For more information please read the following press statement issued by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Branch NAACP. 

http://detroitnaacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MLK-March_Press-Statement_2_22_2013.pdf

Detroit Does Not Need an Emergency Manager

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Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony tells the Governor that the City of Detroit does not need an Emergency Financial Manager. He states, “If you come into our City, you own it.”

Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Branch NAACP held a press conference on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 to address the potential appointment of an Emergency Financial Manager for the City of Detroit by Governor Rick Snyder.  The Detroit Branch NAACP was a major coalition partner in the successful effort that collected signatures and helped to repeal Public Act 4.  Please click the link to read the official press statement. 

http://detroitnaacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PressStatmentNoEM.pdf

Detroit Branch NAACP 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Kick-Off

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The Detroit Branch NAACP recently held its kick-off for the 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.  The kick-off ceremony was held at the Roostertail in Detroit.  This year the Detroit Branch NAACP’s 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Cobo Conference Center.  The Detroit Branch NAACP Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner is a premier civil rights event that brings together the community in support of fighting for social justice and equality.  The Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner is also the Detroit Branch NAACP’s largest fundraiser. The Dinner helps to support the Detroit Branch NAACP’s many youth initiatives, voter protection and education efforts and outreach programs such as Ask the Lawyer.

A secret to the success of the Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner are the Top Ticket Sellers.  Ticket selection was held on Saturday, February 23.  To purchase tickets, tables or find about sponsorship for the Detroit Branch NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner please call 313-871-2087. 

Detroit Branch NAACP Announces Keynote Speaker for 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner

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On Friday, April 20 the Detroit Branch NAACP held a press conference to announce the Keynote Speaker for the 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP announced that United States Attorney General Eric Holder will serve as this year’s Keynote Speaker. The 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner is Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Cobo Conference Center in Detroit. Attorney General Holder joins a long line of distinguished Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Keynote Speakers that began with the Honorable Thurgood Marshall. Tickets for the Dinner are on sale now.

In addition to announcing the keynote speaker, Rev. Anthony also provided details for “Stops, Cops and America’s Addiction to Incarceration”. This National Forum, sponsored by the Detroit Branch NAACP’s Thurgood Marshall Social Justice Advocacy Project and Detroit NAACP Youth Council, will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. at Cobo Conference Center as well. The first half of the forum will address what to do during traffic stops, street stops and domestic disputes. The second half of the forum will address will provide facts and dialogue about the growing prison industrial complex.

For more information about the 57th Annual fight For Freedom Fund Dinner or the national forum please call 313-871-2087.

Detroit Branch NAACP Announces 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Awardees and Special Guest

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2/17/2012 Press Conference

Tuesday, April 17, 2012- The Detroit Branch NAACP announces its all-star line-up for the 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. Seated: Rhonda Pugh, Vice President, First Independence Bank, Katelyn Jackson, Manager, Public Relations & Communications The Coca-Cola Company, Vivian Pickard, President, GM Foundation, Director, Corporate Relations, GM Company and Karla Hall, Vice President DTE Energy Foundation Standing: Hiram Jackson, CEO Real Times Media (left), Miguel Foster, Director UAW Civil Rights Department, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP, Kirk Lewis, Deputy Mayor, City of Detroit, Donnell R. White, Executive Director, Detroit Branch NAACP

On Tuesday, April 17, 2012 the Detroit Branch NAACP held a press conference to announce the Awardees and Special Guest for the 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. The following awardees and special guest were announced by Detroit Branch NAACP President, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony:

2012 James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Awardee
Rev. Dr. Julius C. Hope
Pastor, New Grace Missionary Baptist Church & NAACP National Director Department of Religious Affairs

2012 Great Expectations Awardee
Atty. Nabih Ayad
Founder, Arab American Civil Rights League

2012 Great Expectations Awardee
Rhonda Walker
Founder and President, Rhonda Walker Foundation

2012 Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Awardee
Rachel Maddow
Host, “The Rachel Maddow Show”

2012 Mary White Ovington Freedom and Justice Awardee
Maureen Taylor
State Chairperson, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization

Special Guest
Professor Charles Ogletree
Harvard Law School

Joining President, Rev. Anthony and Executive Director, Donnell R. White during the press conference were Centennial and Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Chairs and Detroit’s Deputy Mayor Kirk Lewis.

Detroit Branch NAACP ACT-SO Contest Gold Medal Winners Prepare

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Gold Medal Winners came to the Detroit Branch NAACP office to complete their paperwork as they begin to prepare for the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition.

The Detroit Branch NAACP will be sending a delegation of seven Gold Medal Winners to the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition that will be held July 5-8, 2012 in Houston, Texas. ACT-SO stands for Afro Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. High school students compete in local ACT-SO Competitions sponsored by the local NAACP branches and youth councils. The Detroit Branch NAACP held its competition on Saturday, March 24, 2012.

Don’t worry if you missed the first competition, there will be a second competition sponsored by the Detroit NAACP Youth Council on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Applications are due by Monday, April 16, 2012. for more information call 313-664-2406.

22nd Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Art & Essay Contest

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First place winners from the 22nd Annual Art & Essay and Contest were photographed in preparation for their award-winning art work and essays to be featured in the Souvenir Journal Book for the 57th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner and place on exhibit during the event. All the winners will be recognized at a ceremony in May at the Charles H. Wright Museum where their artwork and essays will be on display. All contestants who submitted entries answered the question “What the Civil Rights Struggle Means to Me?” in either an art or essay form. Students are competing for prizes, art work and/or essay to be displayed and tickets to the annual fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.

The Art & Essay Committee is chaired by Mrs. Mary Blackmon and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company in partnership with Detroit Public Schools.