The Bulloch County NAACP held their 56th Freedom Fund Brunch on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center on the Georgia Southern Statesboro campus. The event is held annually to inspire their members and to raise funds for the organization. The theme for this year's sold out event was Next Generation - Thriving Together in Leadership.
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson took time out from his re-election campaign to provide an inspiring and powerful keynote address.
In his speech, he outlined what he feels are the three keys to reaching the next generation:
- The youth have to be informed who they are.
- There is a need to be intentionally engaged without condition.
- Their success is tied to our succession.
Johnson began his speech by expressing that "Generation Next is Generation Now" and that parents need to get their children and grandchildren involved in the community and the NAACP.
"I was raised by a mom who was a drug dealer. She drug me to church. I had to go because she drug me there," said Mayor Johnson. "She knew better than me, that one day I would need that. No matter if I paid attention or not, she wanted me in the room. Because of my mom, I know now that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the house of worship. I have a responsibility to be great, because I came from greatness."
Mayor Johnson said that because parents are NOT dragging their kids to the places they need to be, they are allowing the world to tell the story of who they are.
"We are where we are today because our ancestors prayed for our future beginning six generations ago. We are impacted by the prayers of people who didn't know who we are. These ancestors sacrificed and prayed so we can be where we are today," said Mayor Johnson. "We owe it to them to tell the story of our ancestors and the NAACP fighting for our future."
He explained that they have to recognize that while the message is the same, they must deliver it differently to reach the youth of today. The NAACP must intentionally engage them without condition. Adults try to engage youth using their conditions and get mad when they don't engage.
The last point Mayor Johnson made was that older folks need to get out of the way and work to cultivate younger leadership. By bringing in younger leadership, they ensure the success of their organization and embolden their legacy on the organization.
"Your legacy is more important than your life. We need to do the work now, because dusk is coming one of these days for all of us," said Mayor Johnson. "You must account for what you did to make life better for someone else. I leave you today by asking you: WHAT DID YOU DO?"
Bulloch NAACP President's Award
The highest award given annually at the event is the President's Award. This year's award was presented to Tralayia Prince for her incredible community involvement and activism. Tralayia left a life of drugs and crime to return to her community to make a difference. Most recently she organized the march against gun violence.
Bulloch NAACP Leadership Recognized
Yevette McCall, President of the Bulloch NAACP, recognized her leadership for their service including:
- Sam Jones
- Karen Lynn Nunnally
- Lee Ann Robinson
- Renata Newbill Jallow
- Sophia Johnson
- Dr. Meca Williams Johnson
- Adrianne McCollar
- Brandon Moore
- Dr. Mayo-Gamble (not in attendance)
Juneteenth Chairs:
- Olympia Gaines
- Alicia Hill