Video by Anthony Davis
Article by Tanya Terry
The Flint Branch NAACP 42nd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner took place Saturday, October 14, at the Gateway Centre. The theme was “Thriving Together.”
Rev. Alfred L Harris Sr., pastor of Sants of God Church and chairperson for Flint Branch NAACP Religious Affairs, prayed a blessing over the amazing event.
Mike Woolfolk gave the presentation of dais, and the attendees stood for the Black National Anthem: “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The anthem was sang by Antwain Alexander.
Scholarships were presented to Samanatha Jarbou of Clio High School, Jack Foreback of Goodrich High School and Malachi Taylor of Powers Catholic High School. The scholarships were presented by Ella Greene-Morton and Malany Gavulic.
Rev. Allen C. Overton, sr. pastor of Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and moderator for the Great Lakes Baptist District Association, blessed the meal. The guests enjoyed chicken and gravy, green beans with other vegetables and cheesecake for dessert.
Frances L. Gilcreast, president of the Flint NAACP, presented awards to influential NAACP members.
Gilcreast also presented the Civil Right Award to Mrs. E. Hill De Loney, director of the Flint Odyssey House. De Loney also serves as executive director for the Community Based Organization Partners (CBOP). De Loney served for over 15 years as executive director of the Flint Chapter of the NAACP and as the former executive director of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW). In addition, she previously served as chair and president of the Community Based Public Health Caucus (CBPHC) and the National Community Based Organization Network (NCBON) of the American Public Health Association (APHA). De Loney’s work in the community has consisted of studying the historical effects of the Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder and how it causes health disparities and how it affects health behaviors, as well as social conditions.
Danis Russell, CEO of Genesee Health System, received the Celia M. Turner Humanitarian Award. Russell has over 49 years of experience in community mental health. Due in part to his leadership during the Flint Water Crisis, Rusell was awarded the National Council on Behavioral Health’s Excellence Award for Visionary Leadership. He was also named the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Michigan’s 2022 Administrator of the Year. Rafael Turner brought his preteen daughter Rocsi Celia Turner to present the award, who is named after her grandmother Celia M. Turner, which the award was named in honor of.
In a statement to the Courier, Russell said: “It is an honor to be recognized by the Flint Branch NAACP as The Celia M. Turner Humanitarian Award recipient. Myself, along with all of the GHS employees, work tirelessly every day to provide mental health services and multiple levels of support for individuals in Genesee County. We’re dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental health. I appreciate The Flint Branch NAACP acknowledging these efforts with this special award.”
Genesee County Sheriff Chistopher R. Swanson received the Lenore Croudy Distinguished Leadership Award. Swanson helped create the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (G.H.O.S.T.). In less than three years, G.H.O.ST. has arrested more than 150 individuals on human trafficking charges, criminal sexual conduct charges and other charges. Swanson also created the Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Though Education (I.G.N.I.T.E.) program. The program has helped more than 27 returning citizens to find full-time employment upon release. In addition, in 2020, Swanson helped bring protesters and officers together after the murder of George Floyd.
The Vera B. Rison Unsung Hero Award was bestowed to Kevin Thompson, pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church. Under Thompson’s leadership, St. Mark provided water, baby formula, water filters and other resources during the Flint Water Crisis. The church also offers biweekly food distribution, after-school tutorial services to children, suicide prevention awareness, back-to-school supplies and community cookouts.
The keynote speaker for the event was Justice Kyra Bolden. Bolden became the first Black woman to serve as a Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court this year!
In a statement to the Courier, Bolden said: “The work of the NAACP is so important to the Flint community and to the people of Michigan. I am honored to be a part of an event that is making a difference and helping to bring people together, so we can ultimately thrive together.”
Rev. Allen C. Overton, Sr. offered the closing benediction.
Flint Branch NAACP members hope the dinner, which is a fundraiser for the NAACP, will help inspire the community to truly unite and “thrive together.”
