Page 27 - Lansing-NAACP-Freedom-Fund-Program

NAACP LANSING

55TH FREEDOM FUND

CELEBRATION
LED US HERE! OCTOBER 16, 2021 | 8 PM

2021 Lansing Image Award

Derrell Slaughter

Derrell Slaughter serves on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners as the Commissioner
that represents the 3rd district, South Lansing.
He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and Chair of the
Ingham County Racial Equity Taskforce.
Outside of his work on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, he works for the Natural
Resources Defense Council as their Michigan Clean Energy Advocate and serves as a member of
Governor Whitmer’s Council on Climate Solutions.
He is also a proud member of the ACLU of Michigan’s Board of Directors when he serves as the
organization’s Vice-President.

2021 Up And Coming Youth Award

james mccurtis III

Jay is a senior at Okemos High School. He is heavily active in the school where he is a member of
the Black Student Union, National Honor Society, and the Okemos outreach group. With Okemos
Outreach, Jay just completed a service project where they volunteer at the Roseland Community
Daycare center in Chicago, Il. He is also deeply involved within the community. Jay is a member of
the Youth Council, Lansing Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s
(NAACP). Not only is he a member but he serves as the President of the NAACP’s Youth Council.
Last year he was invited to and spoke on Juneteenth on behalf of the youth during a presentation
from the newly aligned Lansing Black Leaders Coalition. Earlier this year, Jay was selected to and
now serves on the Youth Advisory Council for the City of Lansing led by State Representative
Sarah Anthony. Jay is also a member of the Turning Point of Lansing (TPOL). He has been an
active member of the TPOL since he was eligible to join and remained active during the pandemic
where he led several sessions.
In January 2021, Jay was recognized for his community engagement and awarded the Martin
Luther King Jr. Citizenship Award by the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. during the
Lansing City Hall’s celebration. If that wasn’t enough, Jay is big brother to his two brothers.