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Flint Branch NAACP members hope to continue displaying power following recent dinner

Photos by LM Land

Featured photo: NAACP Flint Branch 41st Annual Freedom Fund Dinner VIP Reception

Written by Tanya Terry

The NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest Civil Rights organization. AC Dumas, first vice president of the Flint Branch NAACP, pointed this out at the 41st Annual Freedom Fund Dinner.

“While others have gone, we remain the same,” Dumas said.

The Flint Branch NAACP held the dinner Saturday, October 8, at Gateway Centre.

The theme of this year’s Freedom Fund Dinner was “This is Power.” Dumas talked with the Courier about what this means to him.

“We’re still relevant today,” Dumas stated.

He echoed the sentiments of the Flint Branch NAACP president, Frances L. Gilcreast, through his statement.

AC Dumas

Dumas pointed out the NAACP initially filed a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of people and businesses affected by the failure to provide safe drinking water to the city of Flint on March 31, 2016. The case blamed Gov. Rick Snyder, several state officials and two engineering firms for the crisis, claiming they engaged in “gross negligence” and “outrageous conduct.”

Several other lawsuits followed.

Years later, Dumas went to court with the federal judge and was one of many who testified, saying the Flint Water Crisis Settlement was not reasonable.

“Look where we are now. The NAACP is here again with our original bully pulpit saying it was wrong then; it’s wrong now.”

Dumas said the NAACP is relevant for many reasons.

“Not only that, but we give scholarships; we do voter registration, voter protection; we do all those things.”

Attorney Dionne Webster-Cox also talked to the Courier at the Freedom Fund dinner. She works on legal cases involving complex litigation throughout the country.

Attorney Dionne Webster-Cox

For example, Webster-Cox is acting as co-counsel in the case of Tracey Douglas. Douglas, a Temperance, MI resident, said a couple assaulted her. 59-year-old Douglas, a Black woman, suffered a broken nose and concussion because of a fight that started when Douglas tapped the couple’s truck.

A male who hit her in the face was charged with aggravated assault. Douglas was also charged with assault and battery. The woman Douglas was initially fighting with was not charged. The man who held her while the woman’s boyfriend hit her was not charged.

Webster-Cox spoke to the Courier about what the theme “This is Power” means to her.

“What ‘This is Power’ means for me is us coming together to make a change, us being here,” she expressed. “This is how change is made in the masses, in the group, when there’s one collective thought and idea to make something happen.”

Webster-Cox said she would take the energy and inspiration of the Freedom Fund dinner with her. She explained after hearing what others had to say and she’d see how she could apply it in what she does.

UAW Region 1-D Director Steve Dawes said the NAACP is “more relevant today than yesterday.” Dawes said we face many challenges in this nation and have a lot of work to do.

“I look forward to the fight,” he stated. “I’ve never walked away from one. The UAW never walked away from one.”

Dawes expressed his belief the nation is not only in a race fight.

Steve Dawes

“This is an equality fight because civil rights are human rights, and human rights are civil rights,” he elaborated.”

Dawes received the C Fred Robinson Civil Rights Award at the dinner.

Before and during his speech, he said: “There are those that may push us in the water, but they can’t hold us down.”

Dr. Jawad Shah and daughter Iman Shah

INSIGHT Founder Dr. Jawad Shah received the Celia M Turner Humanitarian Award.

2022 scholarship winners were Tysen Horton of Mott Middle College, Sean Shelbrock of Montrose-Hill McCoy and Ashley Brown of Goodrich High School.

Egypt Otis, Comma Bookstore owner

In addition, four local business owners were honored with the Lenore Croudy Distinguished Leadership Award. A committee selected La’Asia Johnson of Elle Jae Essentials, Dwayne Harrington Sr. of Wayne the Barber, Egypt Otis of Comma Bookstore and Timothy Tyler of Magnifi Clips for the prestigious award.

Tiana and Dwayne Harrington Sr., Wayne the Barber

“These are four businesses that are making it, doing the best they can and still giving back to the community,” stated Gilcreast.

She expressed hope for more Black businesses to be selected for the award in the years to come.

She also stressed the extreme importance of the dinner as a fundraiser.

“We are not dependent on the government to give us money,” Gilcreast said. “The monies we get from our membership and fundraising opportunities are how we continue to exist.”

Frances Gilcreast

Many distinguished speakers offered their words during the event.

Dr. Karen Weaver, former mayor of Flint, spoke as keynote speaker at the Freedom Fund Dinner.

Left to right-Jameca Patrick-Singleton, Karen Weaver and Janice Harden

Over the last year, Weaver has been talking with the NAACP about environmental justice issues, the right to vote, access to voting and voter registration and education.

“They’ve been speaking out on that,” Weaver said. “We’ve been working side by side because that’s important to all of us.”

She elaborated on what she wanted people to take home from her speech.

“It’s what the NAACP has been able to do, the power that it’s had and the power it continues to have,” she said. “It’s how it’s worked behind and in front of the scenes on issues important to civil rights for all. I hope they recognize the NAACP is power, and it’s power that matters.”

Rev. Alfred L Harris Sr

Rev. Alfred Harris Sr., pastor of Saints of God Church and the president of Concerned Pastors for Social Action, offered the blessing and benediction.

“The organization is about speaking up for and defending those who can’t do those things for themselves,” he said. “We keep doing that no matter how frustrating it may be. We are determined, and we believe we will be successful.”

The 41st Annual Freedom Fund dinner ended with a presentation from the color guards from the Dr. George Washington Carver VFW Post 8236.

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