Newark NAACP To Host 109th ‘Freedom Fund Gala Awards’

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Newark NAACP. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

“Affirming Social Justice with Action” is the theme and the call to action for the 2023 Newark Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP) 109th Annual Freedom Fund Gala Awards. The Awards luncheon will be held on Saturday, September 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Terrace Ballroom on Broad Street in Newark. Tickets for the Gala are $100 in advance and $125.00 at the door. A portion of the proceeds are used to awards scholarships.

“The 2023 honorees are groundbreaking contributors to Newark’s past, present and future,” said Deborah Smith-Gregory, President of the Newark Branch. “Each of the honorees have contributed to Newark’s progress and are critical to Newark’s future. We are honoring these community champions to thank them and to advance their work.”

President Smith-Gregory said one honoree in particular is a historic figure in Newark’s history. Newark’s third Black firefighter, David Bolden, will receive the Sally G. Carroll Legacy Award. The President added, “This year we were reminded of the critical role First Responders, play in protecting life and property, especially firefighters with the recent loss of two beloved Newark firefighters. Mr. Bolden is the only living Black firefighter of the first three hired by the city. He served 31 years before retiring in 1985. He is also one of the founders of the Vulcan Pioneers of New Jersey, established in 1953 in Newark to address working conditions, and to increase minority recruitment. Mr. Bolden continues to live in Newark and is a life- long member of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The five remaining honorees for the 109th Freedom Fund Gala are: Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (Donald M. Payne, Sr., Social Justice Award) for her leadership with veterans; Dr. Marion Bolden, (Education) former Newark Public Schools Superintendent who currently serves as the Chairperson of the Essex County College Board of Trustees; Kim Gaddy, (Environmental Justice) current Executive Director of South Ward Environmental Alliance and leading state environmentalist; Vivian Cox Fraser, (Economic Development) current Executive Director of the Urban League of Essex County for her work of progressive economic development via home ownership in Newark’s West Ward; Ali McBride, Civic Engagement Chairperson will receive the Newark Branch Service Award.

Each of the honorees has and continues to “to address issues of race, justice and equity on behalf of Newark residents with a dedication that results with great impact.”

The guest speaker will be Richard T. Smith, President of the NJ State Conference NAACP and a NAACP national board member.

The Newark Branch has had a historic programmatic year with advancements in voter education and registration featuring candidate forums and a get out the vote campaign, targeting the South Ward that resulted in a 45 percent increase of voters in that ward. In addition, the Branch’s premiere Afro Academics, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) mentoring program for high school students, netted 20 state wide medals and two national medals.

Elder Judith Favors, Awards Chairperson noted, “We have made great strides this year and with the public’s support and participation, we can do even more in 2024. I hope you will join us on September 30.” For tickets, call 973-624-6400 or email us at freedomfundnewark@gmail.com or for online payments, visit the NAACP website at www.naacpnewark.org.

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