Editor’s Note: This article, which originally ran in Monday’s edition, has been re-written and run again to correct errors in the original text and expand upon the event.
EDWARDSVILLE — “Charting a Course for Change: Representation Matters” was the theme of 56th Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Gala, which took place Sunday via Zoom. Last year, the group had to cancel its annual gala due to the pandemic.
Dr. Earleen Patterson, director of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Jessica Harris, vice chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the university, nine years after joining as a history department faculty member.
Harris’ remarks referenced the event’s theme noted above as she quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and touched on events in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, among others. Some keynote highlights:
“In my remarks on the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, I wanted to highlight the importance and power of allyship in the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality, through the example of the silver medalist in the 200-meter race, Australian Peter Norman,” Harris said.
“Many of you, I am sure, are very familiar with the now iconic photo of Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving what has been termed the ‘Black Power Salute,’ while standing atop the medal podium.
“The ‘Black Power Salute,’ especially for African Americans, has become a popularized emblem of resistance to oppression and a symbol of racial solidarity. Standing next to Carlos and Smith on the podium was Peter Norman, a white Australian sprinter who had won the silver medal. As Norman stood with Carlos and Smith in a holding room awaiting their call to walk out for the medal ceremony, Smith and Carlos told Norman about their plans to protest. Norman looked at his fellow medalists and responded with these simple, yet affirming words, ‘I believe in what you believe. I will stand with you.’ Norman’s presence and willingness to ally himself with Carlos and Smith makes that moment at the 1968 Olympic Games about more than blackness or Black people, it transformed that moment into one that centered the importance of waging battles against human indignity around the globe and that each of us has a role to play in that endeavor.
“Every day that we are here on this earth presents an opportunity to persist in our efforts to make our communities more inclusive; to make manifest the freedom dreams of generations gone by. We cannot play ostrich. We cannot afford to ignore the disparities that continue to persist right before our eyes. Each of us are challenged to make our own imprints on society. No matter how big or small, no matter if someone sees you or if they don’t, each of us can do something.
“I felt that it was really important to offer words today that would not only speak to the fierce urgency of now but words that would also hearken back to history; to remind us of where we have come yet challenge us to be ever more vigilant in our efforts to upbuild a society free from racial violence, discrimination and injustice,” she said.
Minister Traci Daniels recognized several new Silver Life Memberships:
• Judge Veronica Armouti
• Margie Huddleston
• Jennifer Jumper
• Judge Ryan Jumper
• Renee Perry
• Martha Spillers
• Donna Wilkerson
Next, the NAACP recognized nine college scholarship recipients this year, who each received $1,000:
• Canon Adams – he will attend Murray State University this fall, where he will study occupational safety and health.
• Olivia Gray – she will attend the University of Missouri – Kansas City this fall to study business and entrepreneurship.
• Jadynn Levels – she will attend West Virginia University, where she will study political science.
• Abby Liu – she will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this fall to major in chemical engineering.
• Olivia Melosci – she will attend Illinois State University in the fall to major in mathematics.
• Caleb Valentine – he will attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall to major in finance.
Two additional students received the Ray and Mary Jones Grant – Jalil Roundtree, who will go to Clark Atlanta University in the fall, majoring in business and marketing, and Tyra King. Recipients Rachel Goebel and King were unable to attend.
Walter Williams, president of the Edwardsville NAACP, gave out two awards.
“Each year, the NAACP Edwardsville branch recognizes outstanding contributions made by an organization, business or individual, in the civil rights or social justice arena,” Williams said.
This year, the Collinsville School District (CSD) received the NAACP’s Diversity and Inclusion Award.
“The district is being lauded for is equity and diversity initiatives,” Williams said. “These initiatives improve the quality of professional and academic life for minorities in the district.”
The NAACP recognized the district’s drive to hire more teachers who resemble its diverse student body, particularly Hispanic students, which according to the 2010 U.S. Census, comprised 71% of Fairmont City, a village inside the district.
“Their initiatives centered around how to recruit a more diverse set of educators, to looking at ways they could improve their curriculum, programs, as well as their professional development to improve cultural awareness,” he said. “The staff has also been recognized for community excellence.”
Williams introduced CSD Superintendent Dr. Brad Skertich, who accepted the honor on behalf of the school district. Collinsville High School’s counseling co-department chair, TaRael Kee, also attended.
The second award went to Kathryn Carter, who received the Business of the Year Award. She began a social media show last May, called “Friday Night Live.” It is a positive platform designed to uplift, entertain and enlighten its viewers.
“The pandemic has been a scary time for the world and many people have suffered a lot of losses,” Carter said. “At the beginning, the atmosphere was depressive; it was fearful of the known. I remember asking myself, ‘What could I do to help? What could I do to encourage the people?’ and this is how this show was birthed.”
Williams noted that the NAACP submitted 10 applications last week for African American military members to be displayed among the city’s annual Veterans Day banners.
He delivered his closing remarks with two leading questions disguised as calls to action — What does justice look like? Who tells the story of African Americans? He mentioned the centennial of the Greenwood Massacre in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the George Floyd case verdict.
Briefly, Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus introduced himself and welcomed the group.
“One of my very first actions as mayor this year was to appoint NAACP member Nekisha Omatola as trustee to the village board,” Marcus said. “She is the only woman board member and the second African American member, along with Victor Smith. I have known Nekisha for many years and her knowledge, background and experience will be an asset to the board.”
Due to a technical issue at his end, Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy was unable to extend his greetings to the group Sunday.
Daniels delivered the opening remarks and introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies, Minster Charlene Blair, of Mount Joy Missionary Baptist Church, in Edwardsville, and she is an Edwardsville NAACP Executive Board member. Minister Christopher Jackson of the Mount Hebron Fellowship Church of COGIC delivered the invocation and LaToya Wilson performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” To close the program, Rev. David Roderick of Immanuel United Methodist Church, delivered the benediction.
Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735
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