I “DARKNESS CANNOT DRIVE OUT DARKNESS; ONLY LIGHT CAN DO THAT. HATE CANNOT DRIVE OUT HATE; ONLY LOVE CAN DO THAT.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. President, Rory L. Gamble Secretary-Treasurer, Ray Curry Vice Presidents, Terry Dittes, Cindy Estrada, Gerald Kariem UAW.ORG II UAW mlk print piece - 8.5x11.indd 1 10/22/20 5:17 PM Greetings! Thank you so much for your continued support and commitment to the Detroit Branch NAACP in its fight for justice and equity for all people. Since our inception in 1909, we have continued to stay on the case for the race in spite of a storm, pandemic, or political epidemic. Today we find ourselves in the midst of both a global pandemic and a national political epidemic. As we come together to celebrate this event, we thank you for your flexibility and willingness to adjust to the time that we are in. Our theme for the 65th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Event is TAKE YOUR SOLES TO THE POLLS! We face a tremendous challenge in our nation in 2020. Will we go back to the division, separation, and derision of the past, or will we grow forward to the unity, respect, and dignity of the future? We at the Detroit Branch NAACP choose to continue to grow forward. A very special thanks to our Senior Corporate Chair Gary Torgow, Executive Chairman, TCF Financial Corporation, for his consistent support of the work of the NAACP. Certainly, we could not elevate our work without the support of the labor community and serving as our General Chair, Mr. Rory L. Gamble, President, International UAW. A very special thanks to all of the honorees. Your work speaks for itself. We are pleased to welcome in a special address to the Detroit Branch NAACP family Senator Kamala Harris, the current democratic candidate for the Vice Presidency of the United States. She is also the first African American woman to achieve this level of national impact and positioning for the second highest office in the land. We are determined to beat this pandemic and not allow it to beat us. We will continue to fight until we win. God’s continuous blessings upon all of the sponsors, supporters, and well wishers for the work of the Detroit Branch NAACP. Whether we are virtual and online, we will always remain on time and on task for the work of the oldest and boldest civil rights organization in our nation. God bless each and every one of you for your tireless efforts in the struggle for freedom and justice. Yours for Freedom, Justice, and Equity, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President 1 Table of Contents Greeting, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony .......................... 1 Awardee – Ms. Racheal Allen .................................... 17 Executive Committee ................................................ 3 Lift E’vry Voice and Sing ......................................... 18 Greeting, Kamilia K. Landrum .................................. 4 Keynote Speaker .................................................... 19 Detroit Branch NAACP Staff ..................................... 5 Ms. Kamilia K. Landrum, Biography ....................... 20 Program .................................................................... 6 Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, Biography ..................... 21 Mr. Gary Torgow, Biography ..................................... 8 Fallen Freedom Fighters ......................................... 22 Greeting, Gary Torgow .............................................. 9 Champions of Freedom & Justice ...........................23 Fight for Freedom Fund Committee ....................... 10 Greeting, Rory Gamble ........................................... 11 Detroit Branch NAACP in Action Top Twenty Sellers (2019) ....................................... 12 Strategic Priorities ................................................ 24 Greeting, Derrick Johnson ..................................... 13 Detroit Branch NAACP Programs ........................ 25 Awardee – Mr. Rory Gamble ................................... 14 COVID-19 ............................................................. 26 Awardee – Governor Gretchen Whitmer ................. 15 Census 2020 ......................................................... 27 Awardee – Hon. Alisha Bell ..................................... 16 Get Out the Vote (GOTV) ...................................... 28 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE 2019-2020 OFFICERS Rev. Dr. Wendell Atty. John E. Mr. Kevin ANTHONY Johnson, Jr. Tolbert President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Pastor, Fellowship Chapel Executive Director Assistant Director of Advanced Michigan Legislative Black Caucus Manufacturing UAW—Ford NPC Ms. Alice G. Atty. Khalilah Ms. LaKeisha Thompson Spencer Becton 3rd Vice President Secretary Treasurer President & CEO Partner International Representative Black Family Development, Inc. Honigman Miller Schwartz and UAW International Cohn LLP. 2019-2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr. Kenneth Applewhite Mr. Hiram Jackson Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Robinson Assistant Program Manager CEO Pastor Hot 107.5/Radio One Real Times Media Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Ms. Maia Anthony Mr. James Jenkins, Jr. Ms. Donyale Stephen-Atara Owner President Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Zella’s Bakery Jenkins Construction Detroit Alumnae Chapter Mr. George P. Barnes, Jr. Mr. Brandon A. Jessup Mr. Kenneth Shapiro, P.E. President Executive Director President Heritage Optical Michigan Forward Consulting Engineering Associates, Inc. Atty. Andrea Bradley Atty. Richard Mack Mr. Muddasar Tawakkul Partner Attorney Compliance and Privacy Manager FordDirect Bradley Law Center, PLLC Miller Cohen PLC Mr. Michael Turner Ms. Jordan Connally Mr. Charles Nolen Chief of Staff President President Wayne County Sheriff Detroit Youth Council Cutter’s Bar and Grill Atty. Dorian Tyus Dr. Shekitra Green Rev. Kenneth Pierce Executive Director Principal Pastor Detroit Charter Commission Detroit Public Schools Community District Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church Hon. JoAnn Watson Ms. Terri R. Harrison Ms. Katie Riley Professor Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Executive Committee Wayne County Community College Alpha Rho Omega Chapter Detroit Branch NAACP 3 October 25, 2020 Greetings Guests, Supporters, and Friends! Welcome to the Detroit Branch NAACP’s Celebration in honor of the 65th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner! I would like to congratulate all the individuals that are being recognized for aligning their passion and their purpose to correct the ills in our society. To our Great Expectations Awardee, Rachel Allen - thank you for being a beacon of life in the city of Detroit. Your life’s work has just begun, and we are already the beneficiaries of your great sacrifice. To our Freedom and Justice Awardees – Governor Whitmer and Chairwoman Alisha Bell - you both are dynamic leaders for Michiganders. Your willingness to put your voice and resources on the front lines for the benefit of the community is remarkable and appreciated. Last, but not least, to our Lifetime Achievement Awardee; Mr. Rory Gamble – you’ve made history as the first African America president of the UAW. It is a pleasure to celebrate you and honor your loyalty and brilliance. The year 2020 brought many challenges to all our families and friends. The pandemics or racism and coronavirus turned our worlds upside down. While racism is not a new phenomenon, the call to action for self-accountability and the role we play in perpetuating racism has been at the forefront for many of us. We have marched for justice for the lives of the lost at the hands of the police and the hands of this country’s leadership. While the year is almost over, our work is not done, and we are not tired! We fight until we win! I’d like to thank our Senior Corporate Chair Gary Torgow and our Senior Community Chair Rory Gamble for their leadership in continuously supporting the mission of the Detroit Branch NAACP. These two leaders are powerhouses that are always ready to answer the call to action. The opportunity to watch you both lead organizations that make it a priority to develop the community and provide real solutions to help people in need is beyond inspiring. Your leadership is confirmation that everyone can do good with the blessings they receive. As I close, I’d like to give a very special thank you to Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, the Freedom Fund Dinner Committee, the Executive Committee and all of the staff and volunteers that have helped to make this evening possible. It has been a pleasure to work by your side as the Executive Director for the Detroit Branch NAACP. Your support is invaluable, and your service is cherished. Yours in Freedom, Kamilia K. Landrum Executive Director 4 Detroit Branch NAACP Staff Ms. Kamilia K. Atty. Chui Mr. Darwin Ms. LaToya A. Landrum KAREGA Beacham Henry Executive Director General Counsel Finance Director Communications & PR Director Ms. Laurie A. Ms. Kathleen W. Mr. Jermaine Mr. Robert Moore Coney PEGUESE Green Special Projects Coordinator Special Projects Coordinator Executive Assistant & Building Engineer Special Projects Manager 5 Program Call to Order .............................................................................................................. Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony President, Detroit Branch NAACP Black National Anthem ........................................................................................................................................ Invocation ....................................................................................................................... Rev. Richard White, III 1st