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.
Local Education
Related Photos
-
Aaron Piper
Discussion
NAACP banquet honors Ockomon, Hoosier Park
- Local Education
-
-
Let the words flow
Aaron Lucky Jr., a junior at Anderson Preparatory Academy, has been told he has “a nice voice and a way with words” for a long time. He’ll show off those skills when he heads to Indianapolis Feb. 25 as a participant in Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation contest.
-
Anderson High School's graduation rates increase
AHS has tied for 14th place out of the top 20 for the most improvement in non-waiver graduation rates for the 2010-11 school year. “We were just thrilled,” AHS Principal Lucinda McCord said.
-
South Madison narrows board candidate pool to four
The South Madison Community School Corp. school board has narrowed its search to fill a vacant board position to four finalists.
-
A super experience
Ivy Tech student Kavelle Brooks and Anderson High School senior Zach Burkhardt, Super Bowl ambassadors for Anderson Community Schools, have been involved in the planning since eighth grade.
-
East Elementary 6th-graders team up for NFL Play 60 Challenge
A sixth-grade class at East Elementary, 893 E. U.S. 36, received a few surprises after participating in the NFL Play 60 Challenge.
-
NFL 'Play' program tackles child obesity
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was basking in the relative anonymity Wednesday at the NFL Experience, goofing around with kids at one of the drill stations and signing autographs.
-
South Madison school board receives large pool of candidates
The South Madison Community School Corp. school board is looking for a new member, and with the applications that came in Jan. 27, there are plenty to choose from.
-
ACS board selects Danny McGhee as new member
Danny McGhee said he wants to help Anderson Community Schools become elite.
-
ACS board interviews three finalists
The three finalists for the Anderson Community School Corp. board are all products of Anderson Community Schools, and all have had family or children in the district.
-
School board decides not to look at principals' contracts
Five administrators didn’t have to face the possibility of a non-renewal of their contracts Monday night after all.
- More Local Education Headlines
-
