The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Garland Unit will host its 30th Freedom Fund Virtual Program and Silent Auction. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. The silent auction items will be online for one week – Sept. 12-18.
The theme for this year’s event is “The NAACP, Still A Voice in the Community.” The keynote speaker will be Dr. Devin Atchison, senior pastor at Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville. The mistress of ceremonies will be LaKisha Culpepper, the Garland ISD liaison to the African American community.
In addition, the winner of the Elaine Bradley Scholarship – NAACP Garland Youth Council member will be announced along with the African American seniors with the highest GPAs at each GISD high school.
The John Willie Washington Legacy Scholarship will also be awarded to an African American student enrolled in a Texas state-certified vocational or technical school or Dallas County Community College.
The following adult award recipients will also be announced:
- Education Award – Dr. Ricardo Lopez, Garland ISD superintendent
- Volunteer Service Award – Timothy Robinson, founder and chair of Inspired to Help
- Community Service Award – Garland Health Department
- Bridge Builder Award – Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery
For more information, call 972.381.5044 or visit www.garlandtxnaacp.org.
About: The Garland Unit of the NAACP was chartered July 6, 1984, with 127 members. Ms. Goldie Locke served as founding president and Mr. Johnnie O. Steadham was first vice president, along with 18 Executive Committee members. Two of the original 18 board members are still active: Mr. Chester Johnson currently serves as chair of Legal Redress and Ms. Carol Montgomery is active on two committees. Mr. Richard Dockery, NAACP regional director, chaired the standing-room-only organizational meeting where two key issues were addressed: 1). the firing of African American police officer Sam Allen; 2). substandard schools in the minority area of Garland. Mr. Sam Allen was later rehired as a Garland firefighter. To address schools, the Garland Unit became a plaintiff to the original school desegregation court order filed by the United States Justice Department and the Texas Education Agency. This judgment remains in effect.