Statesville Branch NAACP hosts 91st Freedom Fund Banquet (Photos)

Special to IFN

More than 300 people attended the Statesville Branch NAACP’s 91st Freedom Fund Banquet at the Statesville Civic Center on May 18.

Branch President Eric Todd Scott began the ceremony by sharing greetings and encouraged everyone “to continue the good fight, continue to do the Lord’s will, and continue to be our brother’s keepers!” He also gave thanks to the decorator for the evening, Marcella Scott and her team.

Words from sponsors were shared. Honored sponsors included Food Lion, Goodyear, Iredell/Statesville Enrichment Corporation, Mitchell Community College, Iredell Health Systems, Legacy Education Group, and Nicholson Funeral Home, among others.

Margaret Nelson engaged attendees with the annual membership appeal. A delicious dinner was served by Scott’s Catering.

Guest speaker, actor, author, and producer Leon Pridgeon delivered a message of hope and endurance, emphasizing the importance of perseverance during the nation’s political challenges. NaKayla Griffin, the 2022 Gospel’s Finest winner, was the event entertainer. Mayor Costi Kutteh read the 2025 NAACP Freedom Fund City of Statesville Proclamation.

Awards

The evening was filled with momentous celebrations and awards, including:

● Woody Woodard “Stick and Stay” 2025 Award: Leon Ijames and Jessie Summers;
● Wilson W. Lee “You Can Make a Difference” Award: Pamela Johnson, Statesville Branch NAACP $5454 Youth Council;
● Statesville NAACP Branch #5454 Scholarship Recipients: Saniah Davidson, Statesville High School; Marabel Ivey, South Iredell High School; Nicholas Gonzalez, Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership; Erika Bullard, North Iredell High School; and Peyton Johnson, South Iredell High School
● Courageous Unity High School, Statesville Woolworth Counter Protestors: Dorothy Woodard and James Hammons

Each attendee received the commemorative Annual Freedom Fund Program Booklet. This year’s booklet included the Statesville Youth Council page, calling all youth under the age of 25 to join the fight for equity and justice; recognition of the past NAACP Statesville Branch presidents; six pages of history and pictures of the Unity High School Students Woolworth Counter Sit-In Protest; and advertisements and acknowledgments from churches, businesses, sponsors, family, and friends.

President Scott expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.