The Crusader Newspaper Group

Gary NAACP to honor Crusader publisher at annual banquet

The Gary Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has announced that its 54th Annual Life Membership Banquet will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Genesis Convention Center located at 1 Genesis Plaza in Gary, IN. Fred Seamon, executive vice president of MGT Consulting Group, will serve as the keynote speaker. Seamon has a long and successful career in education management and will discuss a variety of issues relevant to access, equity, disparities in education, business and human services.

At the Gary NAACP’s premier annual fundraiser, the “Class of 2019” will be recognized, including the newest Life Members, scholarship recipients, and ACT-SO participants.

Special awards for outstanding civic engagement, community service and business and professional achievement will also be presented as follows:

Corporate Award of Excellence to Mrs. Dorothy Leavell, Publisher of the Crusader Newspaper Group; Attorney Hilbert Bradley Award to Mr. Oliver Gilliam, President of the Gary Frontier Service Club; Jeannette Strong Award to Mrs. Sarah Givens, Educator for Gary Community Schools; and the NAACP Image Award to Dr. Michael McGee, Medical Director of Emergency Services for Methodist Hospitals.

The banquet raises awareness and funds for a wide variety of community advocacy programs including education, college and career readiness, health and environmental issues, civic engagement and social justice. Over 400 business, political, educational, civic and religious leaders in the region are expected to attend the banquet, which is considered one of the foremost events in the community.

The Honorary Chairperson for this year’s event is the Honorable Karen Freeman-Wilson. Indiana State Senator Eddie Melton is Master of Ceremonies. Stephen Mays is the NAACP Gary Branch President and Darian Collins is the NAACP Gary Branch 1st Vice President and Event Chair.

As the largest, boldest and oldest civil rights organization in the country, the mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. The Gary Branch, one of the oldest and largest in Indiana, strives to develop relationships with organizations and individuals who support and embrace a society that celebrates diversity, equality and fairness for all.

Tickets for the Annual Banquet are $100, and sponsorships are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.NAACPGARY.org. For sponsorship opportunities, call (219) 775-5507 or e-mail [email protected].

About the NAACP

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.

Recent News

Scroll to Top