The NAACP St. Louis County branch held its 88th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner on a Saturday that saw thousands St. Louis area residents peacefully protesting the Trump administration.
An evening earlier, a pair of Minnesota state legislature members were shot and killed in what are being described as “politically motivated killings,” by Gov. Tim Walz.
This June 14 was celebratory and somber for the County NAACP following the nation’s tumultuous week, which included Israeli attacks on Iran with American assistance.
This was not lost on its president John Bowman.
“I’ve had to re-write my speech five times,” he said at the Marriott St. Louis, site of the dinner.
“The historical value is why people stay connected to the NAACP. Discrimination, unfair housing, [attacks on] education; it’s like things have been rolled back to the 1800s.
“The NAACP is fully engaged. We are called freedom fighters. We are not afraid to fight.”
Bowman said, “the race-baiting message sent out by political leaders at the top,” played a role in the tragic deaths in Minnesota.
“Elections certainly do have consequences. Severe consequences,” he said.
“No one is going to save us. We must be informed. We must vote.
The NAACP offered a voter registration table prominently in the lobby outside the Mariott ballroom.
Bowman also said the recent tornado that swept through the parts of the region and caused catastrophic damage on the city’s north side “once again showed how slow and uneven the response can be when Black and brown communities are in crisis.”
“It happened during COVID. Help didn’t show up any quicker than it did this time.”
Charlie Dooley, former St. Louis County executive and NAACP County Chapter 1st vice president, said the evening of awards and recognition is important as it serves as the chapter’s largest fundraiser.
“This is a great night. It’s exciting to be here,” he said.
County Executive Dr. Sam Page was in attendance, saying, “In the NAACP’s 115-year history, it has stood up for freedoms.”
“This is a very critical time in the history of our nation. Thousands of people said, ‘we’ve had enough.’ Folks have the energy, and the NAACP will continue to be at the forefront of the conversation,” said Page.
“Our country has always responded to what is viewed to be inhumane and unjust. There is greater urgency now and people understand this moment is important.”
Bakari Sellers, a civil rights attorney and CNN political analyst delivered the evening’s keynote address.
“During the [Barack] Obama administration, we did a better job taking care of each other,” said Sellers who was elected to the South Carolina House at age 22 in 2006
“We have to return to that, anything other than that will not do.”
Sellers also served on Obama’s South Carolina steering committee in 2008.
He said the political rhetoric of the present, “may have been a motivating factor” in the Minnesota violence.
Last week, Sellers said on CNN, “You can’t look at what is happening in California in a vacuum. The attacks on journalism, law firms, judges, and higher education; none are happening in vacuum.”
“We are drifting toward authoritarianism.”
The NAACP County Branch also honored a host of community icons.
Ollie Stewart, executive director and founder of the Southside Wellness Center, received the Community Leadership Award.
Dr. Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis American publisher and executive editor, received the Black Press Vanguard Award.
Charlie Dooley, who was the first African American to hold the County Executive office, received the Excellence in Community Leadership Award.
Dr. Matifadza (Mati) Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, the former St. Louis health director and international medical contributor, received the Excellence in Healthcare Award.
Carolyn Seward, Family and Workforce Centers of America/MET Center president and CEO, received the Community Leadership Award.
Dr. Alexander Heatrice, DDS, MPH, MS, of the Premier Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery, received the Surgical Innovation Award,
Zebrina Looney, president of the NAACP St. Charles County Branch, received the W.E.B. DuBois Civil Rights Award.
Kayla Reed, Action St. Louis co-founder and executive director, received the Leadership and Community Impact Award.
Ohun Ashe, For the Culture STL founder, received the Grassroots Community Award.
“The NAACP has remained committed to defending our rights, protecting our youth, and advocating for equity across housing, healthcare, education, and the economy,” said Bowman.
“This dinner is not only a celebration of that work, but also a recommitment to each other and the future we build together.”