The Las Vegas Branch held its NAACP Freedom Fund Gala on Oct. 23, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. The Freedom Fund is the NAACP’s flagship event that provides funding for a variety of scholarships and important com- munity-based events.
Over the years the Las Vegas Branch has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to students attending college and vocational institutions with proceed from the annual fundraising event.
Las Vegas NAACP Branch Pres- ident, Roxanne McCoy welcomed more than 600 attendees and ex- pressed her gratitude for all in at- tendance. This year’s guest speak- er was Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP – a title he has held since October of 2017. President Johnson formerly served as vice chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, as well as state president for the Mississippi State Conference NAACP. A long- standing member and leader of the NAACP, Johnson has helped guide
the Association through a period of re-envisioning and reinvigoration.
President McCoy said that the gala’s success goes beyond fundrais- ing.
“The gala also succeeded in pro- vidingfinancialsupportforstudents as well as reassuring our supporters about the significance of the work done by NAACP,” she said.
Arizona State Conference NAACP president, Charles Fan- niel, attended the event. Fanniel is currently planning a year-end gala for the organization to recap the accomplishments of the state’s NAACP branches.
The NAACP (National Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Colored People) was established in 1909 and is America’s oldest and boldest, largest and most renowned, well-equipped and most respected civil rights organization that ex- ists. It was formed by both White and Black activists, specifically in response to the ongoing violence and lynchings of African Americans around the country.