The Grambling branch of NAACP hosted its second annual Freedom Fund/Scholarship banquet Saturday, April 2 in Washington-Johnson Complex, Room 100.
The theme of the event was “The Race is on…We’ve Got The Power.” The banquet provided its guests with an elegant dinner, keynote speaker, Irene Thomas, retired registrar of GSU, and an awards presentation.
The keynote speaker, Irene Thomas asked guests, “Have we lost the will to run this race?” She also reminded the group that “Children, churches, and the country are a mess.”
The focus of Thomas’ speech was that the key is our youth. She persuaded “Do not let your location or situation determine your destination.” In her final remarks Thomas encouraged everyone that “We are advancing at a snail’s pace, but for our children’s sake, we should run this race.”
The guest list included Claud Aker, president of Grambling’s NAACP, Earnest Johnson, NAACP State president, and Mayor of Grambling, Martha Andrus, just to name a few.
Some of the award recipients included, Dr. Grace Tatem, Sadie A. Ludley, Dr. Walter Davis, Anthony Garcia, Johnny Gray, Wilbert Ellis, posthumously, Pinkie Wilkerson, and The Honorable Martha Andrus. Councilman, Edward Jones accepted Mayor Andrus’ award on her behalf. Lincoln Parish Student of the Year Honors was received by Robert C. Wiley, II, an 11 year old student at Grambling Laboratory School.