The year was 1984, Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, Mark White was the Governor of Texas and Charles R. Matthews had just succeeded Ruth Nicholson as mayor of Garland. However, the actual spotlight lies with the historic charter issued July 6, 1984, that established another local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Garland.
Goldie Locke was founding president, Johnnie O. Steadham was 1st vice president, and 18 executive committee members served as leaders to 127 members that joined the new NAACP Garland, Texas Branch. Two of the original charter members remain active today — Rev. Dr. Chester B. Johnson and Carol A. Montgomery. Of the Garland NAACP’s 40-year history, only six presidents served. Three of them attended the 33rd Annual Freedom Fund Brunch and Silent Auction Saturday, Sept. 14 at Garland’s Hyatt Place Hotel — Leala H. Green, 4th president, Council Member Billy J. Williams, 5th president and Ricky C. McNeal, the 6th and current president.
“Four Decades of Making a Diversified Difference” was this year’s theme. Lenell Geter, former aeronautical engineer from E-Systems in Greenville was the keynote speaker. Wrongfully convicted of robbing a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Balch Springs, Geter served 18 months in prison before 60 Minutes broke the story of a railroaded trial. The nationally televised story led to the overturning of the conviction. Geter is now a life coach, entrepreneur and author of the book “Overcome, Succeed and Prosper.” His keynote address was electrifying!
Garland Housing Finance Corporation joined Dallas College to underwrite expenses for Geter to return to Texas from South Carolina to tell the story of this horrifying experience that changed his life forever. Hyatt Place Garland provided a complimentary hotel stay.
Dr. LaKisha Culpepper, Garland ISD community liaison to the African American Community, served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and violinist Brayden Zachery performed two instrumental selections. Rev. S. Michael Greene, senior pastor of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the invocation. NAACP Garland executive Cassandra Cox introduced the adult honorees. Dr. Joyce Miller introduced the first two scholars. Dr. Babetta Hemphill of the Garland ISD introduced seven GISD academic scholars. Members of the NAACP Garland Youth Council introduced the dais, delivered the welcome and occasion, introduced the keynote speaker and served as ushers.
The Garland NAACP presented nine scholarships to African American seniors and recognized four adults making a positive impact in the community.
Adult honorees:
- LaVerne Snowden, recipient of the Education Award
- Eva Miles, Community Service awardee
- Leslie Montena, recipient of the Entrepreneur Award
- Sam Allen received “B.J. Williams History Maker Award”
Scholarship recipients:
- Evan Straughter ($1,300 Elaine Bradley Scholarship)
- Saron G. Elias ($1,200 Goldie Locke Top Scholar Award)
- Tyler Lott-Johnson ($1,000 John W. Washington Legacy Scholarship)
- LaKeria Johnson ($1,000 top African American South Garland HS Scholar)
- Amia Conley ($1,000 top African American Naaman Forest HS Scholar)
- Mahlet Atsedewoin ($1,000 top African American Lakeview Centennial HS Scholar)
- Daley-Andrena Wilson ($1,000 top African American Rowlett HS Scholar)
- Ikeoluwa Sowemimo ($1,000 top African American North Garland HS Scholar)
- Amir Bland ($1,000 top African American Sachse HS Scholar)
Corporate sponsors of the NAACP Garland Unit included: Mitchell/Tufts Foundation Fund at the Dallas Foundation; J.P. Morgan Chase; Trophy Nissan; First Guaranty Bank; Garland Power and Light; Frost Bank; Mesquite KIA; and Randall Reed’s Planet Ford 635.
Individual citizens sponsoring scholarships and daily operations of the NAACP Garland Unit included: The Honorable Weldon Bradley; Carol Montgomery; The Honorable Billy J. Williams and wife Dorothy; Gwendolyn Clemmons; President Ricky C. McNeal and wife Najeda; James and Joyce Miller; Ruby Adams; Cassandra Cox; Roderick and Marcia Stewart; Patrick and Jem Cook and Larry and Gwendolyn Daniels.
The final award presentation humbled and delighted Larry D. and Gwendolyn H. Daniels. Gwendolyn, the unit’s historian, received the “Distinguished Woman of the Year” award, and Larry, the organization’s treasurer, received the 2024 “President’s Award.”
For information on the national award-winning NAACP Garland Unit, visit http://www.garlandtxnaacp.org or call 972-381-5044.
Information provided by Gwen Daniels. Photos by Harry Manuel.