By Sheri L. Stuart, Staff Writer
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist said he will be speaking on leadership when he delivers the keynote address at the 38th Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, March 9. The gala, including a V.I.P. reception, will be held at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint. Gilchrist is the first African American to be elected to the office of Lt. Governor for the state of Michigan.
“Public service is a privilege bestowed upon us by voters. We have a responsibility to respond to the needs of the people,” Lt. Gov. Gilchrist said.
“I thought that a role in politics might be in my future, but I didn’t expect it to come so soon after my run for public office in Detroit,” he said.
Gilchrist lost a bid for Detroit City Clerk in the 2017 general election.
The 36-year-old software engineer held leadership roles in Washington, D.C., and Seattle before he and his wife Ellen decided to move home to Michigan in 2014 to raise their family. He said being a husband and a father is his most important role. He hopes many others will also decide to make Michigan their home.
“Michigan is a beautiful state that’s rich and diverse. This is the home of opportunity. I want young people to know that this is a place where they can build their career. If we do this right, when my children are of age, they will want to build their careers here too.”
The V.I.P. sponsorship reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and awards at 6 p.m. The theme of this year’s dinner is “Stand Up and Be Counted”.
Adult tickets are $100 and youth tickets are $40. For tickets, sponsorship, and journal ad information, please contact the Flint Branch NAACP Office at (810) 742-8622or email at flintfreedom_fund@comcast.net.