ANDERSON – Surprise awaited those at Madison County NAACP’s annual B. Harry Beckham Freedom Fund Banquet dinner Saturday, which celebrated the organization’s 100th year, including special awards to Mayor Kris Ockomon and Hoosier Park.
The annual banquet —themed this year as “NAACP: 100 Years: Bold Dreams, Big Victories” — is held every year in honor of Beckham, who served with the NAACP accomplishments and dedication to the NAACP.
The organization awarded Ockomon with its Citizen Award, given to someone who goes above and beyond with community service. As he walked to the podium at the Days Inn, Ockomon appeared visibly surprised. He said the award was the first of its kind that he’d received since being elected mayor in 2007.
“My heart is in this community,” he said. “And if you ever feel any different, please come down and give me a kick in the you-know-what.”
Hoosier Park was also recognized with an award for becoming a corporate member of the NAACP. A corporate membership is worth about $5,000, according to the chapter’s president, James Burgess.
Tears welled in Audrey Burgess’ eyes as the second vice president of the county’s NAACP read a letter from Burgess’ daughter, Amber Burgess. In the letter, Amber Burgess advocated that her mother be awarded the namesake honor for her dedication to the community, the church, her children and the NAACP.
The President’s Award, given by James Burgess, was awarded to Mae Gray, a longtime NAACP member who Burgess said pushes for the greatest out of everyone.
A special treat for the organization was the keynote address delivered by NAACP’s national director, Hilary Shelton. In his speech, Shelton revisited the many accomplishments of the civil rights organization. In 1914, organization members pushed for anti-lynching legislation. In 1918, the organization boycotted the Academy Award-winning “Birth of a Nation,” which depicted blacks as “buffoons,” Shelton said.
In 1954, the organization pushed for desegregation. In 1964, it advocated equal employment opportunities. In 1965, the organization pushed for equal voting rights.
“We’ve done a lot over the last 100 years, but we ain’t done yet,” Shelton said.
Now, Shelton said, it’s time to push for universal health care. The audience cheered and applauded his demands that America develop a plan that would aid the uninsured.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
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NAACP banquet honors Ockomon, Hoosier Park
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