Students, educators, organizations and civic leaders were recognized at the Oct. 1 celebration.

By C.S. Howard

SARASOTA, Fla. — The Sarasota County Branch of the NAACP honored local students, organizations, educators and civic leaders at its 41st annual Freedom Awards Gala on Oct. 1 at The Ora Premier Event Center.

The 2026 honorees represented youth leadership, business, community service, public service, education and lifetime achievement:

• Rising Star Award: Chloe Truewell
• President’s Awards: Boxser Diversity Initiative and founders Dan and Litten Boxser; the late Rev. Dr. Brock Leach
• Business and Industry Award: Margie’s Market, represented by Nelle Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank
• Community Service Award: Rhonda Calahan
• Public Service Award: Patrick Robinson
• Education Awards: Kiarra Womack and Earl Young
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Raymell Grimes

Truewell, a senior at Booker High School, participates in the school’s Cambridge AICE program and serves as a Brilliant Pathway Ambassador with College for Every Student.

The Boxser Diversity Initiative, founded by Dan and Litten Boxser, works to foster understanding among diverse communities through shared histories and mutual respect. Leach, honored posthumously, was a Sarasota minister, nonprofit leader, educator and former business executive.

Margie’s Market opened in the Newtown community to give residents a convenient neighborhood shopping option. Calahan, president and CEO of Queens of Domestic Violence Awareness, founded the organization in 2019 after experiencing domestic violence.

Robinson was recognized for his public service, including work with the Sarasota Police Department and the City of Sarasota. Womack spent five years as senior scholarships manager for the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. Young, a former president and CEO of the Booker Promise Foundation, is now the foundation’s scholarship manager and has more than 15 years of experience in education and philanthropy.

Grimes spent 32 years in public education, beginning as an administrative assistant in the segregated Sarasota County School System. She went on to serve in multiple roles during her career.

A legacy of local civil-rights advocacy

The NAACP was founded in 1909 to advance civil rights and challenge racial discrimination. Sarasota County’s branch has been active since 1952. In 1955, local NAACP members and residents organized beach caravans and “wade-ins” to challenge segregation at Sarasota’s beaches—a landmark chapter in the area’s civil-rights history. That legacy gives added meaning to the gala’s recognition of people and organizations working to strengthen their community today.

Trevor D. Harvey is president of the Sarasota County NAACP, and Cynthia S. Howard served as banquet chairperson.