By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
The Howard County NAACP is gearing up for its annual Freedom Fund Jazz Luncheon, scheduled for April 27. This year’s luncheon promises to be an electrifying affair, featuring Grammy-nominated poet, human and civil rights activist, journalist and author Kevin Powell as the keynote speaker.
The Freedom Fund Jazz Luncheon holds a special place in the hearts of Howard County residents, serving as both a fundraiser and a platform to honor local champions of justice and equality. Willie Flowers, president of the NAACP Howard County Branch, highlighted the event’s significance.
“The Freedom Fund is our annual event, a fundraiser, but more importantly, an opportunity for us to recognize people in the community,” he said.
Flowers emphasized the NAACP’s commitment to advocacy and community service, citing programs like the Freedom School and the George Washington Carver Community Garden as examples of the organization’s dedication to addressing social justice issues.
“Our funds go specifically for our advocacy activities, responding to every single challenge that happens in the community at the civil rights level,” Flowers explained.
In an exclusive AFRO News interview, Powell echoed Flowers’ sentiments, emphasizing the critical role of organizations like the NAACP in the fight for equality.
“It’s more critical than ever,” Powell remarked. “All the little victories that we’ve gotten around the Civil Rights era, one by one, people are pushing back hard.”
Powell, known for his activism and extensive work in journalism, urged emerging leaders to prioritize community upliftment.
“We’ve got work to do around legislation that’s being pushed to set us back 50, 60 years, if not more,” Powell stated. “We’ve got to raise our voices, use our voices in some very critical ways.”
The luncheon will provide a platform for Powell to address urgent issues facing the community and inspire attendees to take action.
“As the keynote speaker at the NAACP Freedom Fund, I hope to convey the urgency of now,” Powell explained. “We’ve got work to do to preserve things that were fought for.”
Flowers emphasized the need for accountability among elected officials.
“Our black elected officials should represent us. They should not do the same things that other officials have done to nullify hope for our young people moving forward,” he said.
The Howard County NAACP Freedom Fund Jazz Luncheon promises to be a transformative event, bringing together community members, activists and leaders to celebrate progress and renew their commitment to social justice.
For more information about the event and how to get involved, visit the NAACP Howard County Branch website.
The NAACP Howard County Branch, founded in 1944, is dedicated to advocating for civil rights, equality and justice in Howard County, Md. Through its programs and initiatives, the NAACP Howard County Branch works to address systemic issues and empower communities to create positive change.
The Howard County NAACP Freedom Fund Jazz Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 27 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, located at 7795 Arundel Mills Boulevard Hanover, Md. Tickets are available for purchase on the NAACP Howard County Branch website, available at https://www.howardcountynaacp.com/freedom-fund-luncheon.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a movement for change and join the Howard County NAACP in the fight for justice and equality.