The Bulletin Board: Seminole County Branch of the NAACP holds 75th Annual Freedom Fund and Award Banquet

The Seminole County Branch of the NAACP held their 75th Annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at the Sanford Civic Center in downtown Sanford, FL, with the theme, “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”.  Approximately 325 people were in attendance.
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) - the oldest, largest, strongest and most effective civil rights organization in America, was founded in 1909 in New York City by a group of black and white citizens committed to helping to right social injustices.
The principal objective of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens among the citizens of the United States.  The NAACP is committed to achievement through non-violence and relies upon the press, the petition, the ballot and the courts, and is persistent in the use of legal and moral suasion even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility.
The Association is headquartered in Baltimore, MD; the total membership exceeds 500,000; there are more than 2,200 branches, youth councils and college chapters covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and West Germany.
Master of Ceremonies Extraordinaire Kenneth L. Moore presided over the Banquet festivities. The Sanford Police Department’s Honor Guard presented the Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Brandon Bradley, of the NAACP ACT-SO Youth Council, led the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”; Pastor Cornelius Blue (Greater New Mt. Zion M.B. Church-Sanford) gave the Invocation; Kenneth Bentley gave Words of Welcome on behalf of Sanford City Commissioner Velma H. Williams.  The Just Dance School of Arts Dance Company presented a Praise Dance, “Strange Fruit”.  Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett extended Greetings.  Ms. Sannye G. Jones, NAACP State Youth Advisor and Area Director, brought Greetings from the Florida State Conference of NAACP.   
Featured music for the evening was by Orlando-based Gospel Quartet, Greg Delaine & Brother 2 Brother.
Mrs. Francis C. Oliver introduced the Keynote Speaker, Distinguished Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Lloyd Crump of Tallahassee, FL. Attorney Crump is well-known for his legal representation and advocacy in the Trayvon Martin case, the Martin Lee Anderson Boot Camp case, the Michael Brown case and the Robbie Tolan U.S. Supreme Court case.  
He is President of the National Bar Association and has been recognized as one of the National Trial Lawyers Group Top 100 Lawyers. Crump spoke eloquently on the banquet theme as stated above; he challenged everyone to “Stand up for justice; we all have a role to play; when we see injustice to the least of us, do we use our blessings and talents to try to make a difference? When we don’t take a stand, what message do we send to our children? Will we answer the call for action?  Communities must come together and participate in the processes, i.e., city council meetings, etc. and demand accountability; we have to act. Our lives have value; we are all human beings; we are all God’s children and we all want equal treatment; we all have to take a stand.”   
Attorney Crump also shared some of his experiences with Civil Rights cases he has worked on. He began and ended his inspiring speech with the statement, “Moral minded people should call for equal justice, which is due to every citizen."
Rev. Arnold Porter (New Bethel A.M.E. Church-Altamonte Springs) gave the Dinner Blessing. After dinner, the Awards Ceremony was held.  The 2016 Scholarship Awards were presented to local high school graduates by Alvin Peterson, Education Chairman, as follows: Staisha L. Miller (Winter Springs High School) received, $2,500; Daravious Perkins (Seminole High School) received $1,500; and Keiyah S. Webster, (Seminole High School) received $2,500.
Branch President Marvin Carroll presented awards as follows.  The Presidential Award was presented to Gloria Scott Cummings, Second Vice President, for her outstanding work on behalf of the Seminole County Branch.  
The Keynote Speaker Award was presented to Attorney Benjamin L. Crump. The Community Service Award was presented to South Seminole Community Association for Progress, a group organized in 1965 by concerned citizens of the Black community of Altamonte Springs, FL to bring public awareness and social change.  
They are committed to enhancing the quality of life for the community at large in the areas of education, cultural enrichment, health and wellness, civic involvement, and economic development.
The Humanitarian Award was presented to Kenneth Bentley, in recognition of his outstanding community service involvement in Sanford and Seminole County, i.e., NAACP, Martin Luther King Jr. Steering Committee; Sanford Police Citizens Advisory Committee; Chamber of Commerce of Sanford; Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida; Goldsboro Front Porch Council; Goldsboro Concerned Citizens Advisory Committee; local churches and community organizations. Bentley is employed by the Seminole County Public Schools at the 21st Century Community Learning Center at Hamilton Elementary School.   
Marian Williams, First Vice President, made the Adult Membership Appeal and Brandon Bradley made the Youth Membership Appeal.   Chapter President Carroll gave the closing remarks and expressions of thanks to everyone for their participation and support.  Minister Winnola Grigley (St. Matthews M.B. Church-Sanford), gave the Benediction.
The Seminole County Branch of NAACP is headquartered at 2120 N. Beardall Ave.; Suite 1010 in Sanford (Midway); Mailing Address P.O. Box 4113, Sanford, FL  32772; E-mail: NAACP_Seminole@aol.com; Tel.: 407-328-7496.  
The officers are: President, Marvin Carroll; First Vice President, Marian Williams; Second Vice President, Gloria Cummings; Third Vice President, John Wright; Treasurer, Eloise Morton-Turner; Assistant Treasurer, Gail Ward.  Executive Committee Members: Kip Beachman, Kenneth Bentley, Ida Boston, Emory Green, Gladys Green, Alvarise James, Dr. Swannie Jett, Tiffani McDaniel, Alvin Peterson, Dr. Velma H. Williams, Tamika Williams, and Julius Williams.

• A Voter Information Forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thurs., July 7 at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1203 Olive Ave., Sanford (Rev. Octavious L. Smith, Host Pastor).   This event is sponsored by the Pearlie Mae Ford Community Service Club of Sanford and the Seminole County Branch of the NAACP.  
Come out and meet the local, state and national candidates, ask questions and get prepared for the August 30, 2016 Florida Primary Election. Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel will be the Moderator. Questions, call 407-592-1850.

• Dr. Sharon R. Patterson, Overseer at Getting Your House in Order Ministries, 2400 Chase Ave. in Sanford, is celebrating 49 years of ministry, with the following services at their church: Revival on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at 7 p.m. Apostle H.L. Jones and Lady Terri Jones, of God’s International Ministries of Orlando, will be the special guests.   
A Celebration Banquet will be held on Friday, July 8 at 6 p.m.; ticket donation, $25.  The Celebration theme is, “God’s Been Good Down Through the Years”; Scripture Reference, Psalm 89:1, “… with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” For more information and to get banquet tickets, call Min. Patricia Jenkins, 407-272-1086 or E-mail: GettingYourHousenOrderMinistries@yahoo.com.

• “Single and Saved Seminar” at The Word Center, 2680 S. Orlando Drive in Sanford, on Sat., July 9, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. Panel discussions, question and answer session and more.   Registration fee, $10 (includes gift bag and lunch).  
For more information and to register, call Elder Riggins at 407-474-2331; Pastors Rico and Dana Sharp.

Sheralyn Brinson can be reached at SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com