NAACP Oneida County Branch to Host Annual Freedom Fund Dinner
Dawn Laguerre-
On Sunday, November 2, the NAACP Oneida County Branch will hold its annual Freedom Fund Dinner. Founded on the beliefs embodied in the Constitution of the United States of America, the mission of the NAACP is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color. The NAACP Oneida County branch carries out the mission of the NAACP in our local community.
This year’s theme of “The Fierce Urgency of Now” reaffirms the NAACP’s commitment to using our collective ingenuity, creativity and strength to continue the fight for civil rights and social justice. Mrs. Freddie Hamilton, President of the NAACP Oneida County Branch, sees this theme as an opportunity to underscore the need for active engagement in our communities, particularly at times when our democracy is most at stake. As the branch celebrates 64 years of dedicated community service in central New York, they seek to acknowledge individuals and organizations who have taken proactive action to address specific issues affecting our local community.
This year’s keynote speaker is Giovanni Harvey, a native Utican and civic engagement advocate, who has dedicated his life to civic service. A former President of the SUNY Student Assembly and former SUNY Trustee, Mr. Harvey co-founded the SUNY EOP Student Ambassador Program. He currently works as a press assistant for the New York State Executive Chamber.
Recognizing community members has also been an integral part of past Freedom Fund Dinners and provides an opportunity to express our appreciation to those who have taken the initiative and extra step to achieve positive change. In keeping with the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now”, the branch will take the opportunity to recognize four community members and two community organizations for their willingness to identify issues affecting members of our communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable, and taking the initiative to raise awareness of and proactively address those issues. The work of these honorees encompasses a wide range of actions and behaviors through which they have contributed to the functioning of democracy, the betterment of their community, and/or the advancement of shared goals and values.
Individuals being honored include:
- Rev. Jill Farnham-Us – Co-Founder of Interfaith Coalition of Greater Utica, Indivisible Mohawk Valley steering committee member, and Oneida County Pride Alliance volunteer
- Kay Klo – Executive Director of Midtown Utica Community Center
- James Paul – Executive Director of Blacque Acres, Utica City School District Board of Education member and Co-Director of Junior Frontiers of the Mohawk Valley ● Heather Wasielewski, Content Creator of Every Voice Utica and former Chairperson of the South Utica Neighborhood Association
Organizational honorees are:
- Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club/Junior Frontiers of the Mohawk Valley Program ● Oneida County Democratic Women’s Club
This year’s Freedom Fund Dinner will be held at the Five Points Public House and Events Center in the Irish Community Center at 623 Columbia Street from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. Early bird tickets for adults are $70 per person for adults (ages 21 and older) and $50.00 for youth (ages 20 and younger), which can be purchased through Wednesday, October 1 and include NAACP membership. Tickets purchased after October 1 are $75.00 per person for adults and $55.00 for youth and include NAACP membership. Tickets for lifetime members are $50.00 per person.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite at https://qrco.de/bgFGa4 through Monday, October 20. Please reserve your seat in advance, as tickets will not be sold at the door. For questions, please contact Dawn Michelle Laguerre at laguerremedia@gmail.com /(315) 266-7548.
