|
“As we celebrate yet another anniversary of our Freedom Fund
Dinner, we humbly and gratefully thank you for your
encouragement and support. 2016 has been busy and eventful
in Toledo and across the nation. Our national NAACP theme
this year is “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count,” said Ray
Wood, president of the Toledo NAACP chapter. “Emphasizing
that our lives matter, not more than any others, but just as
much as others and when we vote those votes absolutely count
and can make the difference.”
Waite High School’s Young Men of Excellence served as ushers
and greeters. WTVG’s Kristian Brown served as mistress of
ceremonies, Rev. Michael Key of People’s Missionary Baptist
Church delivered the invocation and ACT-SO competition
winner Jamaia McKinley-Riven sang the Negro National Anthem.
The featured speaker was television chef Jeff Henderson,
best-selling author and Food Network television star.
The 2016 Freedom Fund honorees were: Suzette Cowell, Toledo
Urban Federal Credit Union CEO; Rev. Robert Culp, First
Church of God pastor; Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health
Association CEO; and Jane Moore, United Way of Greater
Toledo Executive VP of Community Impact.
Guests dined while competition winner presented their art
forms. A poem by Keyara Edwards, a song by Jamaia McKinley-Riven,
a dance by Courtney Draper, drumming by Arthur Bishop,
dramatics by Jenasis Savage and drawing by Lyricka
Robinson-Smith.
“I just want to thank everyone for their support, this would
not be possible without you. It’s truly a blessing when I
walk into a grocery store or bank and hear such positivity
about our NAACP. We have the greatest all volunteer board in
Toledo, in the world. I appreciate each and every one of
them,” shared Ray Wood.
|
