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NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner Speaker: ‘Wake Up And Get On Board’
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Repeated instances of po- lice brutality, voter suppres- sion, and other social conflicts make it necessary now more than ever for folks to not just support but, par- ticipate in the mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peo- ple (NAACP).
That was the opening mes- sage given by Otis R. An- thony, who served as emcee at last Friday’s Hillsborough County NAACP Freedom Fund 2015 Dinner.
More than 200 people at- tended the event at the Em- bassy Suites near the University of South Florida, which featured a perform- ance by Blake High School Gospel Choir and keynote ad- dress from Simeon Terry, Vice President of Diversity Affairs for National Builder, Austin Commercial.
Local leaders in civil rights, government, and business also were honored at the din- ner. This year’s honorees in- cluded Attorney Jeraldine Williams, who was recog- nized as a Living Legend; Robert Cole and Lou Washington, who were rec- ognized as Living Bridges; and Tampa Fire Chief Tom Forward, Rene Panko, and Hillsborough County Public Defender Julianne Holt, Unsung Heroes.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Williams recalled piv- otal moments in her illustri- ous career, including meeting
Simeon Terry, second from left, delivered the keynote address at the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP Annual Fundraiser Ban- quet. He is shown with Joe Robinson, left, Felix Bratslabsky, Tampa General Hospital Minority Business Manager, and Thomas Hug- gins.
The Honorary Banquet Chairpersons were Jerome Ryans, President and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority, and Ms. Michelle Maner, Vice President, Community Devel- opment for Wells Fargo Bank.
CHIEF AND MRS. TOM (CYNTHIA) FORWARD
“We have to wake up and get on board,” he said. “We’ve got to unify our differences as a diverse culture. We’ve got to teach each other what we know.”
Combating injustice does- n’t have to be a grand gesture;
Mr. and Mrs.
(Renee) Panko attended the banquet. Mrs. Panko was pre- sented the Unsung Hero Award.
with South African President Nelson Mandela in his home.
At a time when Black peo- ple are being shot dead in the street and states are adopting laws that make it difficult for African Americans to fully ex- ercise their right to vote, the need for a functioning NAACP in every city is cru- cial, Anthony said.
Terry – who administers Austin’s minority, women- owned, and disadvantaged programs at various airport projects, including at Tampa International Airport – said in his role, he works to build relationships between Austin and the communities in which they operate.
The result is workforce de- velopment programs that serve as a win-win for every- one, he said.
Terry challenged mem-
Ms. Doris Cannon served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the banquet. She is shown with Ronald Crumbly.
bers of the audience to exam- ine how they are helping pur- sue liberty in spite of injustice.
Robert C. Cole, Sr., is shown with Ms. Annette Hart. Mr. Cole was the recipient of the Living Bridges Award.
in fact, it can begin at the vot- ing booth, said Terry.
“We can’t change the whole world but we can make an impact on our community,” he said. (Photography by BRUNSON).
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