The NAACP Hammond Indiana Branch will host its 2017 Freedom Luncheon on Saturday, September 9, 2017, from 12-3 PM, at the Dynasty Banquet Hall, 4141 Calumet Avenue, in Hammond, Indiana.
The Hammond Branch NAACP is a catalyst in promoting improvements to increase opportunity for all people. The branch continues to work with every segment of the community to remove barriers for a better quality of life, and the 2017 luncheon is its most important fundraiser of the year. Proceeds allow the branch to continue to advocate for civil rights throughout the community and provide scholarships to Black youth. The many years of success of the Hammond NAACP Branch is due largely to corporate supporters and partnerships among other businesses and educational, religious, civic, and community organizations over the years.
This year, the luncheon’s special guest speaker is Hilary O. Shelton, Director of the NAACP’s Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy. The Washington Bureau is the federal legislative and national public policy division of the more than 500,000-member, 2,200-membership unit national civil rights organization. In this capacity, Shelton advocates the federal public policy issue agenda of the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized civil rights organization in the United States to the U.S. Government. Shelton serves on many national boards of directors, including the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Center for Democratic Renewal, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute.
Lady Sax, a genius with the saxophone, and Billy Shelton with Sounds of Motown will entertain guests of the luncheon, where several outstanding community members and leaders will also be honored. We will also honor several outstanding community members and leaders, including Retired Justice Robert D. Rucker, Indiana Supreme Court, Hammond’s School Superintendent Dr. Walter Watkins, and Assistant Police Chief William Short.
Preparations for the luncheon are underway, as it goes toward the betterment of our community, youth, the elderly, the underprivileged, and scholarships, to name a few. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Individuals and companies can also help a youth by becoming a Scholarship Sponsor. For more information about the luncheon, please contact Reverend Homer Cobb at (219) 670-0883 or [email protected].
