U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, St. Louis native and rising star in the national Democratic Party, will offer the keynote address during the 87th St. Louis County Annual Freedom Fund Dinner, Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Marriott St. Louis Airport, 10700 Pear Tree Lane.
Crockett attended Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School and Rosati-Kain, and graduated in 2003 from Rhodes College in Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in and became a public defender for Bowie County, Texas. She formed a law firm and was noted for taking pro bono cases of Black Lives Matter activists.
Crockett was in a House Congressional hearing on May 16, when she asked Georgia Republican Marjorie Tayler Greene, “Do you know what we’re here for?” after Green rambled on about an unrelated topic.
Greene replied with a personal attack, saying “I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading.”
Crockett later asked the panel’s chairman, Kentucky Republican James Comer, why he ruled Greene’s words were not viewed as a personal attack.
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She then made a statement that she says many Republicans have given her “a thumbs up” for delivering and have made her a political sensation.
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“To better understand your ruling, if someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody’s bleached blonde, bad-built, butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?” Crockett asked.
This year’s dinner theme is “For Culture, For Community,” and is chaired by Kimberly McGee with Trudy Busch Valentine and UAW Region 4 serving as honorary co-chairs.
 “We are honored to welcome U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a prominent civil rights advocate and inspiring leader, as this year’s keynote speaker. Her work in Congress has been instrumental in driving progress and uplifting marginalized communities, said John Bowman, St. Louis County NAACP president.
The Rev. Julia Chaney-Moss, sister of murdered civil rights activist James Chaney, will receive the Freedom Summer Award.
Other honorees are:
Rev. F. James Clark, pastor of Shalom Church City of Peace, for his lifelong commitment to advocacy and community service.
Flint W. Fowler, president of Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis, for innovative initiatives in youth development.
Katie Deatherage, president of UAW Local 2250, for being an outstanding labor activist.
Michael Maclin, superintendent of Schools for Special School District of St. Louis County, for excellence in Youth Development and Equity.
Percy Green II, for being a civil rights legend.
Antonio “Tony” Maldonado, Hispanic Leaders Group of Greater St. Louis chair, for outstanding service and community leadership.
Organizations being honored at The BRICÂ (Bullet Related Injury Clinic)Â for pioneering efforts in violence prevention, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom Campaign, and Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages
 The President’s Reception is at 5 p.m., featuring live music and opportunities for networking. The dinner and Crockett’s speech will follow at 7 p.m.Â
Annual Freedom Fund Dinner are available for purchase online at naacpstlouiscounty.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those wishing to support the event and the NAACP’s mission.
