The NAACP Freedom Fund Gala was a remarkable success. It brought together a diverse crowd dedicated to raising awareness and supporting the NAACP’s civil rights advocacy in Spokane. The event started with spiritual libations acknowledging our ancestors and a land acknowledgement. The evening progressed with the awarding of several community members for their work and volunteerism. Finally, the night ended with an engaging keynote speech by Hill Harper, who recentered us by saying that we’re not divided; we’re disconnected, which set an inspiring tone for the evening.
The evening’s highlight was the recognition of our Michael P. Anderson scholarship winner, Birdie Bachman. Her presence and achievements served as a powerful reminder of the event’s core values: scholarship, opportunity, and academic excellence for our Black and Brown students. The live music performances, a key element of the evening, added a festive touch, encouraging everyone to mingle and celebrate their contributions.
This year, Spokane has faced its share of cultural insensitivities, racism and discrimination. But through our collective efforts, we have addressed these injustices, sought to correct missteps, and overcome obstacles. The Freedom Fund event showed us the power of unity and the potential for true racial solidarity. It’s this unity that will continue to drive our mission forward.
In 2025, my vision is to advocate across the spectrum for racial harmony in health care, education, government, community, sports, youth activities, our congregations, entertainment venues and grocery stores – essentially anywhere where there is hate.
Together, we will advocate for justice and strive to create psychologically and emotionally safe environments.