The importance of the NAACP Detroit Branch’s annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner should not be understated. Nationally, it’s the most attended, most well fundraised, and most viewed Freedom Fund Dinners of all NAACP locations.
The Detroit Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner provides its guests with a first-class meal, top-notch entertainment, and some of the world’s renowned keynote speakers.
This year is no different, as President Joe Biden will serve as the keynote speaker for the 69th annual dinner.
“It is our unique privilege and pleasure to announce that our Keynote Speaker for this historic event will be none other than the 46th President of the United States, the Honorable Joseph R. Biden,” said Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP.
“President Biden comes at a critical time in our nation’s history. We face tremendous international challenges coupled with domestic and local issues that seek to divide us. However, it is our belief that if we work together as a people that we can resolve these issues for the benefit of all Americans. We will also present to President Biden the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award for a life of dedicated service to the American people.”
Among the special honorees for the Great Expectations Award is Spain Middle School, which won first place in its division at the State Regional Competition for Robotics, which culminated in Maumee, Ohio.
Renaissance High School will be honored for taking first place in the U.S. Chess Federation National High School Championship U800 Division, which concluded in Washington, D.C., where more than 407 students and 67 teams in their division competed for first place.
“Detroit continues to produce champions. We are excited about Black Tech Saturdays, an organization that brings together investors, founders, and technology to create a special place and space for African American innovation, creativity, and excellence. They too will receive a Great Expectations Award,” Anthony said.
This year’s Ida B. Wells Freedom & Justice Award will be presented to Attorney Khalilah V. Spencer. Spencer is a partner at Honigman Law Firm, serves on the Executive Board of the Detroit Branch NAACP, the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Conference NAACP, and is President of Promote the Vote. She is dedicated to informing, mobilizing, and supporting organizations and individuals whose task is to make sure every Michigander has the right to access the voting booth.
Nationally, the NAACP will present to Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, civil rights icon and activist, prolific preacher, and lecturer our William Monroe Trotter Freedom & Justice Award. Dr. Haynes has been unparalleled in his articulation of peace and justice and a bearer of the cause of freedom across our nation.
Senator Debbie Stabenow will receive the very special Presidential Award. Senator Stabenow serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and has been a stalwart in her support of Detroit and Michigan in the cause of justice and equity across our nation. Her life’s work has been reflective of one who is truly dedicated to the lifting up of people regardless of race or background.
This year, Gary Torgow, Chairman of Huntington National Bank, will serve as the chair of the Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner. Torgow said he’s honored to be chairing the civil rights dinner this year.
“When Rev. Anthony says it’s the hottest dinner, it’s not only the hottest dinner, but there are more people that attend this dinner here in Detroit, Michigan than any event in the country. It’s the 69th annual, and every year it gets bigger, and better, and more important. The reason that there is an NAACP and the reason there is a dinner is because of the tremendous effort of Kamilia Landrum, our wonderful executive, and the greatest civil rights leader that Detroit has ever seen, and we’re privileged to have him in Detroit – Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony,” he said.
“We need to take our soles to the polls, and that’s what the NAACP stands for more than anything. The fact that the president is coming to this dinner and being given this wonderful honor and honoring us with his presence is because he understands how vital this organization is and how critical this time is.”
The Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner was launched in April 1956 under the leadership of Branch President Edward M. Turner, Arthur L. Johnson, and Dr. Lionel F. Swan. The Freedom Fund Dinner was founded in a period of renewed national hope and determination among Black Americans, even in the face of continuing racial violence and tragedy.
“The great philosopher and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson left us a prolific paradigm when he said, ‘Democracy is not a spectator sport. It is a participatory event. If we don’t participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy.’ This is why the Detroit Branch NAACP continues to call upon all of us to participate in the preservation of our liberty and the protection of our freedom. As we face critical decisions related to policies and programs concerning health care, the right to vote, economic access and developments, international crises of war and division, a rise in hate crimes, as well as tensions in colleges and universities across the nation, all of us must participate in the great cause of equality and liberty for all,” Anthony said.
“We are pleased to announce the NAACP’s commitment to always speak truth to power and to advocate justice and peace for those often overlooked and many times are neglected. Our special honorees for 2024 reflect a very diverse assembly of those whose lives and work reflect the true mission and vision of the NAACP.”
The Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner will be preceded by Freedom Weekend in partnership with the Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice, and People Empowerment. Freedom Weekend is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, through Saturday, May 18. Freedom Weekend will be held at Fellowship Chapel United Church of Christ and the Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus. It will consist of Health/Run/Wellness Day, Seniors Care Day, Youth Career Summit, and a special Labor Leaders Luncheon on May 17, featuring the first African American President of the Communications Workers of America, Claude Cummings. All laborers and people who believe in workers’ rights are invited to attend this very special gathering.
For more information and to secure your tickets or tables for the Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner, contact the NAACP at (313) 871-2087 or go to detroitnaacp.org.
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