The 53rd Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner

OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT

DETROIT, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- For 53 years the Detroit Branch NAACP
has sponsored one of the nation's signature events. Thanks to hundreds of
volunteers, dedicated staff and many business, corporate, community, faith-
based and labor organizations we can record a history of success in what has
become the nation's largest sit down dinner. This year shall be no different.
We are pleased to invite the entire community to our 53rd Annual Fight for
Freedom Fund Dinner scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. There
are many highlights scheduled for this historic event. I am pleased to
announce the selection of three Detroiters as award winners and honorees for
this dinner. Receiving our Freedom and Justice Award will be Mr. Charlie
Gilliam, a blue-collar worker and community activist. Mr. Gilliam has donated
time; worked to organize national demonstrations and marches for social
justice from Washington to Atlanta to Detroit and donated thousands of dollars
of his own personal resources to the Detroit Branch NAACP. Another Freedom
and Justice Award winner is Eleanor Josaitis of FOCUS: Hope, co-founder of
that organization, with the late Father William Cunningham. FOCUS: Hope has
employed and educated and improved the quality of life of thousands of men and
women inside this community regardless of race and gender for decades. These
two persons exemplify the best when it comes to both freedom and justice.
Receiving the Life Time Achievement Award for his dedication and commitment to
our city, state and nation while serving as mayor of the city of Detroit,
associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, president of the American Bar
Association and a host of other key positions, of our course is the honorable
Dennis Wayne Archer, Sr. These persons exemplify true service and commitment
for all who believe in the ability of the human spirit in making a difference
in the lives of people.
This year we are also pleased to have a special participation by the news
outlet CNN, as they share with our community a special documentary entitled,
"Black in America." Ms. Soledad O'Brien, along with other representatives of
CNN will attend our dinner for a special presentation.
Our city is blessed with a number of talented youth and organizations. We
wish to announce the Martin Luther King High School Marching Band, on their
way to perform in China, will be making a special musical presentation at our
dinner.
The theme for this year's dinner is "A Change is Going to Come." Our
nation is at a crossroads as it relates to the ultimate direction we will take
politically, socially and in race relations. The NAACP will be celebrating
its centennial in New York City next year. As we prepare for the challenges
that we face not only today but as we seek to come together and understand
each other as a people for tomorrow, we believe that this is a key moment in
history to take it to the next level.
In the past we have had speakers from the business, political and
entertainment worlds. As an example we have had President Bill Clinton on two
occasions, Vice President Al Gore on one, General Colin Powell, actor Bill
Cosby, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Congresswoman
Maxine Waters, lecturer and writer Dr. Manning Marable, going back to the
honorable Thurgood Marshall.
The Detroit Branch NAACP continues to be bold, progressive and far
reaching in its efforts to both challenge its own membership and the community
itself. In that regard following the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. 40
years later the call for social justice and the necessity for community
activism is still upon us.
It is therefore our unique pleasure to announce that the speaker for the
53rd Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner will be the Honorable Reverend Dr.
Jeremiah A. Wright, pastor emeritus of the Trinity United Church of Christ,
Chicago, Illinois. Reverend Wright has challenged the nation, challenged our
comfort zone and stimulated nation-wide discussion on the issues of how we
must move forward together as both a nation and a people. We look forward to
his participation here in the city of Detroit.
SOURCE The Detroit Branch NAACP

Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony of The Detroit Branch NAACP, +1-313-871-2087