Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet Held at Rust College
|
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on November 03, 2011 FEATURED Content Members, friends, and the community of the Marshall County Branch of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) gathered Saturday night, October 29 at Rust College to pay tribute to three special honorees for their contributions to Marshall County. “Affirming America’s Promise” was the theme of this year’s event, featuring the Rust College Baptist Student Union Gospel Choir and music from Dr. Nellie J. Smith and former First Lady of Holly Springs, Mrs. Luberta Smith. Words of greeting and occasion were presented by Mrs. Marketta Liggins Steward, Chair of the Education Committee, Rust College NAACP President Cleavon Matthews, and Rev. Leona Harris, who serves on the Life Membership Committee. Mrs. Eloise McClinton, Executive Director of the Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS) in Holly Springs, gave an inspiring keynote address. She urged the audience to “answer the call” to support the purpose and efforts of the NAACP. “It was the talent and tenacity of supporters that changed lives and changed negative aspects of our society,” said McClinton. “We need to get out of the ‘dead zone’. Go vote, get others to vote… make a change in the lives of the next generation.” “Answer the call for the future of our children,” she said. Mrs. Mozell Kelly, Freedom Fund Banquet Committee Chair, along with 1st Vice President Rep. Kelvin O. Buck, presented special awards to three figures of the community for their outstanding work in Education, Spiritual Leadership and Business. “It takes everybody to really make a community grow and move forward,” said Buck when presenting the award in Education to Dr. Irene Walton-Turnage, Superintendent of the Holly Springs School District. “She came into a school district that, at the time, was working to find its place. She is totally dedicated and committed in investing time into the young people of Holly Springs.” In the Spiritual Leadership category, the award was presented to Rev. Samuel A. Phillips, Pastor of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. “The saying goes, longevity has its place,” said Buck. “I don’t think this statement could be more fitting for this recipient.” Rev. Phillips, who announced he was 86 years-old, has been a spiritual leader for more than 50 years, and several members of his congregation were in attendance to show support. “NAACP has served as a light in many dark places. Please allow me to thank you for your hard work. We are shaped for service,” Rev. Phillips said. In the category of Small Business, the award was presented to Ms. Lue Cathey, owner of “The Basket Island” on North Memphis Street in Holly Springs. Mrs. Cathey thanked the NAACP and the community for supporting her business, encouraging them to please continue to patronize her business. “She is always working,” Buck said of Ms. Cathey. “Any time, you can find her outside her business working to make things look a little better.” Two special NAACP awards were given to Mr. Eremosele C. Okhiria and his sister, Miss Jada A. Okhiria for establishing their Junior Life Memberships in the NAACP. In a special presentation, Ms. Brenda Dupree, postmaster of the Holly Springs Post Office and postal employees from Holly Springs, Red Banks, and Mount Pleasant displayed the new Barbara Jordan Stamp as the 34th stamp in the U.S. Post Office’s Black Heritage Series. Barbara Jordan was a lawyer and educator who served as a Texas state representative from 1972-1978 and was the first woman ever to be elected to the Texas Senate (1966). Ms. Dupree gave framed photographs of Barbara Jordan to Dr. Paul Lampley, President of the Marshall County NAACP, Dr. David L. Beckley, President of Rust College, Ms. Johnnie Bagley, Vice Mayor of Holly Springs, and Rev. Leona Harris, curator of the Ida B. Wells Museum in Holly Springs. Founded February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization. The Marshall County Branch of the NAACP was established January 3, 1966. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
Comments
More From This Author
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Hosts 94th South Central Regional Conference in Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Register Now For This Upcoming Diagnostic Imaging Virtual Info Session and Q&A with Providence on April 16th |
Latest News
 |
Promote the Vote Fund: Ensuring Every Voice Is Heard in Michigan 28 April 2026
Promote the Vote Fund, a Ford grantee, is a coalition of partner organizations leading these efforts. The organization works across the ideological spectrum to support voting rights for Michiganders ...more
Hija Chang • 88 Views • May 3rd, 2026 |
 |
Temple to open medical campus in Atlantic CityBoth Temple and the Katz School of Medicine are guided by the belief that education and healthcare open doors and transform communities, and that is exactly what we have accomplished in Pennsylvania,” ...more
Hija Chang • 94 Views • May 3rd, 2026 |
 |
Apartheid’s legacy and the rise of xenophobia in South Africa todayPhoto: An image showing a South African township street with closed small shops owned by African migrants, police presence in the background, and community members walking past with tense expressions. ...more
Joel Savage • 328 Views • April 30th, 2026 |
 |
James Artissen, Big Gipp & DJ Burn One - Just Another DayAcclaimed Grammy-Nominated singer-songwriter James Artissen teams up with Southern hip-hop rapper Big Gipp, and respected producer DJ Burn One for their latest release, “Just Another Day.” The record ...more
Lenell Johnson • 209 Views • April 28th, 2026 |
 |
PROPEL Center Launches Future of Tech Innovation Challenge to Spotlight HBCU Talent & Shape the Next Generation of AI LeadersPROPEL Center, the global HBCU technology and innovation hub committed to strengthening the future Black talent pipeline, announced the launch of the Future of Tech Innovation Challenge, a national co ...more
Crystal Willis • 261 Views • April 27th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 108,214 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
