Wheaton Resident Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from DuPage NAACP

Black History Month is typically reserved for famous heroes of yesterday, but in the western suburbs of Chicago, little known heroes are making a difference today. At least that’s the belief of the DuPage County NAACP as it recognized a special group of local champions during the spectacular 56th Annual Freedom Fund and Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Held at the Wyndham Hotel in Lisle, about 600 participants  the event included speeches from Mario L. Lambert II, DuPage County NAACP president, 16-year-old Youth Council President Joseph E. Talton II, who will serve as emcee, and keynote speaker Dr. William J. Carroll, president of Benedictine University. Additionally, entertainment will be provided by the Aniba Hotep & The Sol Collective band, and includes a special performance by DJ GWhiz (Greg Adams) at the conclusion of the evening.

“The DuPage NAACP Freedom Fund originally began in 1956 to help complete the job of fighting for equality,” explained Willetta Hudson, a Geneva resident and volunteer for the Branch’s 2012 gala committee. “Today, our Freedom Fund and Scholarship gala is a big part in continuing to further our mission. Without it, the work that is so needed for the counties we serve would be much harder to accomplish.” 

According to the DuPage Branch, last year’s annual gala was attended by 600 guests and helped to raise an estimated $20,000 for various programs and initiatives. This year’s gala attracted a record number of high profile supporters, including Navistar who contributed $20,000 this past December to the DuPage County NAACP.

“Navistar is very proud to be a platinum sponsor of this special event,” said Gregory W. Elliott, senior vice president, human resources and administration. “We look for partners who are as committed as we are to developing the next generation of talent that will help to move our company—and our communities—ahead. We believe we found that with the DuPage County NAACP and look forward to continuing our relationship.”

Other local corporations supporting the Branch’s annual Freedom Fund and Scholarship gala include PNC Bank, OfficeMax and McDonald’s. But for the hundreds of guests who attend year after year, the main attraction remains the grassroots ceremony that salutes community heroes.

The 2012 award recipients for the Branch’s Freedom Fund and Scholarship Gala include:

Lifetime Achievement Award
Wheaton resident Bernie Kleina, Hope Fair Housing

Audley Award of Leadership Excellence

Thomasina, Johnson, Naperville North High School; Clayton Muhammad, East Aurora Schools; and Terry Pastika, Citizens Advocacy Center

President’s Award
La Toya Forrester, Dorletta Payton, Cynthia Johnson, and Valerie Talton

Youth Achievement Award-Sydney C. Finley, Jr. Memorial Education Scholarship
Angelica Payton, Bolingbrook High School; and Kyla Price, Oswego East High School

Youth Achievement Award-Book Award
Christopher Fisher, Bolingbrook High School; Imani Hughes, Plainfield East High School; and Morgan White, Bolingbrook High School

Lambert says the relationships created with people and organizations from this year’s list of honorees are proof positive why the gala is so successful every year.

“This event is always close to the hearts of everyone involved because we all believe in helping our community realize its full potential,” said Lambert. “I personally look forward to it every year and just as in the years past, we expect it to be the hottest ticket in town!”

Tickets for the DuPage County NAACP 56th Annual Freedom Fund & Scholarship Gala are available now at $65 for adults and $30 for youth. Inquiries for ticket purchases or questions should be directed to Jameena Ivory at jamivory@gmail.com or by calling 630-464-9411. For more information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and other programs, follow the DuPage County NAACP Branch on Twitter @dupagenaacp or please visit http://www.dupagecountynaacp.org. 

ABOUT THE NAACP AND THE DUPAGE COUNTY NAACP BRANCH

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

The DuPage County Branch of the NAACP has been active in the County and surrounding areas including Will, Kendall and Kane Counties for more than 50 years. It was chartered in November 1956, and since 2003, the DuPage County Branch has grown into the second largest in the state of Illinois, produced several Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) National Medalists, as well as raised a significant amount of funding for its Sydney C. Finley, Jr. Memorial Education Scholarship program.