TSG Named Corporate Award Honoree by NAACP of Oranges & Maplewood

by Alexandra Gakos

The Shauger Group (TSG) has been named the 2022 Corporate Award honoree by the Oranges and Maplewood Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Donald Shauger will receive the award at the organization's upcoming 109th Annual Freedom Fund Gala, which will be held on April 8, 2022, at the Cedar Hill Country Club in Livingston.

"We are so honored to be recognized by such an admired and respected organization," said Donald Shauger, Executive Vice President of TSG. "The NAACP does incredible work, both locally and nationally, to improve people's lives, eliminate injustice, and make the world a better place for all of us. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, 'The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.' The Oranges and Maplewood Branch is tireless in their community efforts, and we couldn't be more proud to receive this award from them."

According to the Freedom Fund Committee of the NAACP Oranges and Maplewood Branch, TSG and the Shaugers were chosen "in recognition of [their] extraordinary career contributions and achievements in [their] field of endeavor." The Corporate Award is presented each year to a "specific company, or corporate officer on behalf of the company, who demonstrates extraordinary dedication and service to the community and uplifts the well-being of its residents."

As part of the upcoming ceremony, Donald Shauger recorded an interview segment this week about the Corporate Award recognition.

"It was particularly meaningful to record our interview during Black History Month," said Shauger. "It was a fitting time to celebrate this award, as well as to honor the achievements of the NAACP and all others who have made a significant contribution to Black history."

Headlining the upcoming gala will be the Honorable Jeh Johnson, Secretary Emeritus of the United States Department of Homeland Security, as keynote speaker. The gala will feature a theme of "Rising to the Challenge, Answering the Call.”

TSG will be one of eight honorees in the 2022 class of award recipients. This year features two brand-new categories, which, according to the NAACP, were "established to honor the outstanding achievements and contributions of our youth and young adult leaders": the Trailblazer Freedom Award (18–30 years of age), presented to Jyhir Jordan; and the Millennial Freedom Award (31–40 years of age), given to Danielle K. S. Thomas. The other 2022 honorees are as follows: Eileen DeFreece Wilson (Education Award, for a compassionate instructor, author, trainer, or consultant dedicated to making a difference for their students); Not Orange, Inc. (Civic Engagement/Community Service Award, for a company or corporate officer committed to improving people's lives and creating livable communities); Ernest Williams (Labor & Industry Award, for a person who champions equal opportunity, non-discrimination, and inclusiveness in the workplace); Rev. Dana Owens (Religious Affairs Award, for a house of worship, clergy member, or religious officer providing invaluable leadership, hope, and support to those in need); and Darrell K. Terry, Sr. (President’s Award, for an individual, company, or corporate officer selected by the Branch President, currently Darryl Jeffries).

The NAACP is dedicated to the pursuit of equality in all realms: political, educational, social, and economic. The NAACP seeks to stamp out racial prejudice and biases, while eliminating all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes and bringing public awareness to the adverse effects of race-based discrimination. The NAACP devotes its efforts to ensuring the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws that protect civil rights, as well as educating individuals about their fundamental constitutional rights and the legal options available to protect them.

The NAACP has identified six core "Game Changers" as major areas of inequality facing African Americans; the NAACP's goal has been to make significant strides in those areas—economic sustainability, education, health, public safety and criminal justice, voting rights and political representation, and expansion of youth and young adult engagement—to effect meaningful change in the twenty-first century.

The Oranges and Maplewood Branch of the NAACP was founded in 1913, just a few years after the NAACP was first created nationally; it is the oldest branch in the State of New Jersey and the third oldest in the entire country. The branch's annual Freedom Fund Gala helps raise much-needed funds that sponsor critical programs—ones that enhance the community while helping the NAACP address the ever-important "Game Changers."

"We are grateful to the Oranges and Maplewood Branch of the NAACP for including us in the upcoming Freedom Fund Gala and awards ceremony," said Lisa Shauger, President/CEO of TSG. "We are humbled to be part of such an esteemed group of honorees—our fellow members of the 2022 class are compassionate, empathetic individuals who are dedicated to leveraging their talents, energy, and resources to making a difference in the world. We cannot wait to stand beside them, while celebrating the lasting impact of the NAACP."