SARASOTA NAACP HONORS COMMUNITY TRAILBLAZERS
The Sarasota County Branch NAACP hosted the 38th Annual Freedom Awards Banquet on Thursday, October 5th at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, recognizing trailblazers in the community. This year’s theme was “Thriving Together – In Unity. Freedom awards are presented to individuals and organizations whose practices are consistent with the local and national goals of the NAACP.
This year’s honorees were Anastasia and Ariel Samedi, Rising Stars; Javaris Williams, Go Forth and Prosper; Jacqueline M. Jones and Rev. Dr. John W. Walker, Jr., President’s Awards; Sarah Wertheimer, Embracing Our Differences, Community Service; Ron Turner, Public Service; Gamma Xi Boule’ of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Education; and Coach James E. Ward, Lifetime Achievement.
This year’s theme is a call to unite on one accord, said Trevor D. Harvey, NAACP president.
“We need to be on one accord and engaged in the ongoing attack of our democracy,” Harvey said. “This is our playbook year; it is to strengthen when we continue our commitment to vote and participate in the political process. We cannot turn back. The struggle continues.”
For more information about the Sarasota NAACP, please visit the website at sarasotanaacp.org.
