Announcement: 63rd Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner awardees and Freedom Weekend activities

The Reverend Wendell Anthony announces the 63rd Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner awardees and Freedom Weekend activities. "We look forward to a powerful and historic presentation from keynote speaker, the Honorable Senator Cory A. Booker of New Jersey," Rev. Anthony said. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

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Announcement: 63rd Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner awardees and Freedom Weekend activities

DETROIT – The 63rd Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner is rapidly approaching. We look forward to a powerful and historic presentation from keynote speaker, the Honorable Senator Cory A. Booker of New Jersey.

The theme for this year is WE CAN’T REST NOW, THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH! We see confusion occurring at the national level from the administration currently in the White House regarding voting rights, income inequality, gun violence, and the recent bombs dropping in Syria. As we continue to witness the investigation into the Russian interference in the national elections, none of us have the luxury of resting from our civic responsibilities.

We are pleased to announce that we will award students from Cass, Pershing, Western, King, Renaissance, Novi, and North Farmington High Schools our Great Expectations Award for their student activism. These are some of the schools that participated in the March for Our Lives to End Gun Violence. We are heartened by those who have consistently worked to call attention to African American’s who have been killed or abused at the hands of rogue police officers. The Black Lives Matter movement and now youth from all over the country are engaged in a movement to bring legislation and policy to a nation that desperately needs them both.

We are pleased to present to State Representative Jewell Jones a special Great Expectations Award as one of the youngest legislators focused on key issues that impact all of us. The Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Award will be presented to the members of the Detroit Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Mary Church Terrell Freedom and Justice Award will be presented to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Rho Omega Chapter for their consistent vigilance and outreach for young women and men in the areas of education, civic duty, and youth leadership development. These sororities have been leaders for years in youth motivation, setting a standard for many others.

The James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to James “Jimmy” Settles, Vice Present, UAW Ford. Mr. Settles will be honored for his lifetime of service to protect workers’ rights, dedication to improving the quality of life for all people, and his leadership as an advocate for civil and human rights.

There will be a special tribute of 1000 students from around the community presenting 50 years from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black Progress, to T’Challa the King and Black Pride. Students will present a tribute in honor of Dr. King and his work, as well as their focus on ending gun violence with a renewed sense of pride, stimulated by the recent movie phenomenon Black Panther. This will prove to be one of the most exciting presentations of young people in city of Detroit. There is still an opportunity for youth to be involved by contacting the Detroit Branch NAACP.

Leading up to the 63rd Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner is Freedom Weekend 2018, sponsored by the Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice, and People Empowerment.

On Wednesday, May 2nd there will be a special Youth and Career Summit. This will be at Fellowship Chapel located at 7707 W. Outer Drive. The career summit will consist of workshops on STEM, Business, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and The Humanities. In addition, there will be a special summit, Youth Speak Out: Guns, Violence, and Solutions, to address the issue of violence within our communities.

Thursday, May 3rd, we present JOBS! JOBS!JOBS!, a super career expo with vendors and job providers from around the Metro Detroit area. There is still an opportunity for job providers to sign up for this job and career expo. This is an opportunity for persons seeking onsite job prospects. In addition, there will be an Expungement Fair providing information regarding how to eliminate records, which inhibit job opportunities.

Friday, May 4th, is the Faith Leaders Luncheon, featuring South African Anti-Apartheid leader, Rev. Dr. Allan Boesak, From Martin to Mandela: 50 Years Later. Where Is The Faith Community? Faith leaders and community persons from all denominations are invited to attend. There will also be a special tribute to the late Winnie Mandela, one of the foremost freedom fighters in South Africa. This event is being sponsored by DTE Energy. They will have a special message for the faith-based leaders and community persons regarding energy efficiency, special programs, and cost reduction. In addition, there will be Senior Awareness Day offering awareness in Safety, Sexuality, and Financial Security.

Saturday, May 5th, we will have the Dr. Ron Walters National Townhall, focused on Being Black Is Not A Crime. Opinion makers and thought leaders will address the current racial climate regarding the issues surrounding black life in America.

All events are free and open to the public. You must register for the Faith Leaders Luncheon and are encouraged to register for all other events. Online registration is available at freeinst.org or call (313) 347-2834 for more information. You may also contact the Detroit Branch NAACP at (313) 871-2087 or visit detroitnaacp.org for information about upcoming events or to purchase tickets. This promises to be one of the most exciting Freedom Weekends as well as Fight For Freedom Fund Dinners to date. The entire community is invited to join with us.