NAACP PROVIDENCE BRANCH ANNOUNCES 110TH FREEDOM FUND GALA AT THE RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

December 6, 2023

 

Contact: Gerard C. Catala

(401) 218-4842 president@naacpprov.org 

 

PROVIDENCE – The NAACP Providence Branch will host the 110th Freedom Fund Gala on Thursday, December 21, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI. This year’s theme is PASSING THE TORCH, “Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”. The evening program includes remarks from keynote speaker Rhode Island District 1 Congressman Gabe Amo, NAACP New England Area Conference (NEAC) president Tanisha Sullivan, Esq., and NAACP Providence president Gerard C. Catala. 

 

“As a first year president who appreciates traditions, my administration has worked tirelessly to ensure the NAACP Providence Branch continues the legacy of having our annual Freedom Fund event. I am humbled and excited to announce that the NAACP Providence Branch will celebrate the Association’s 2023 achievements and honor community leaders whose actions personify the ideals of our mission at the 110th Freedom Fund Gala, said Gerard C. Catala, president of the NAACP Providence Branch. “This year’s theme is Passing The Torch, Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. It is my unfeigned belief that it’s not only prudent but imperative that local leaders take a special interest in our future leaders, equip them with the essential tools needed for success and remain selflessly ready to pass the torch when God calls us to task. For, if we fail to do so, responsibility lies within oneself if passing winds quell the flame of progress and succession.” 

 

The NAACP Providence Branch Freedom Fund Gala is a premier civil rights fundraiser and, most importantly, a space where dynamic change makers fellowship. Previous keynote speakers include Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Actress and Film Producer Viola Davis, and Congressman John Lewis.

 

“I am honored to be the keynote speaker for the NAACP Providence Branch’s 110th Freedom Fund Dinner,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “In having the honor of serving Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, I stand on the shoulders of so many leaders who came before, many of whom have been leaders in this distinguished organization. I look forward to sharing my story and discussing how we can reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening our community, upholding civil rights, and improving economic opportunities.”

 

The NAACP Providence Branch acknowledges the tireless efforts of both celebrated leaders and unsung heroes devoted to uplifting communities of color and ensuring everyone could thrive together. In commemoration, the NAACP Providence Branch will host a public swearing-in ceremony during the freedom fund event of its executive leaders alongside honoring distinguished honorees who embody progress and equality. 

This year’s Gala will be hosted by our 2023 Ida B. Wells Award recipient. Rhode Island’s own award-winning tv personality and celebrity correspondent, international television host, Dr. Remi Jones of remitvmedia.com. 

NAACP Providence Branch 110th Freedom Fund Honorees include: 

Vanguard Award Juneteenth RI

Divine Nine Award for Partnership (DAP)  TBA at Gala 

Mary Church Terrell Award 

Rosa De Castillo

Col. Charles Young Award  

Lt. Cornelio Fernandez

Amos C. Brown Award  

Akeem Lloyd

  1. E. B. Du Bois Award

Kyle Dennis

Rosa Parks Award  

Lorraine Lalli, Esquire

Medgar Evers Award  

Joe DaMoura

Dr. Ernest Everett Just Award 

Dr. Phillip Chan

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Cliff Montiero

Cliff Monteiro Leadership Award  

Andre Isom

Ida B. Wells Award 

Dr. Remi Jones

Roy Wilkins Award  

Dewayne Boo Hackney
Thurgood Marshall Award 

 Honorable Vanessa Crum (Judge)

Martin Luther King Jr. Award  

Honorable Edward Clifton (Judge, ret.)

Dr. Julius J. Robinson President Award 

Leon W. Russell (NAACP National Chairman) 

George S. Lima President Award 

Derrick Johnson (NAACP National President)

NAACP Providence Image Award  

Congressman Gabe Amo (RI First Congressional District)

Ticket sales will go live on naacpprov.org for $80 on December 6. All tickets from the postponed gala will be honored with a drink ticket and special gift included. For more information including tickets, donations, sponsorships, scholarships, memberships or general inquiries, please contact us at (401) 218-4842, president@naacpprov.org, or secretary@naacpprov.org.

About the NAACP Providence Branch

The NAACP Providence Branch advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across Rhode Island and the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

 

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The NAACP Providence Branch strongly condemns the decision on Affirmative Action by the Supreme Court of the United States.

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Statement from NAACP Providence Branch President Gerard C. Catala

PROVIDENCE (June 29, 2023) – The NAACP Providence Branch echoes the sentiments of our National President & CEO Derrick Johnson and Director Wisdom Cole as we stand firmly with our National Office in a collective effort to make clear, affirmative action exists to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion, and shall not be overlooked during the admissions and hiring processes. The NAACP Providence Branch will not be discouraged by this decision, we will continue to speak out against the racial injustices brought upon the majority of kind hearted citizens of this country by the insensitive cowardly beliefs by the extremist minority who aim to set our great nation back decades. Both leading locally and in support nationally, the Providence Branch will hold all institutions and employers accountable to their respective roles in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to using all the tools possible to address historical atrocities that have hampered the progress of African Americans and other people of color in this country.

The 1952 Brown v. Board of Education case in which the Court decided that the “separate but equal” standards of racial segregation were unconstitutional, paved the way for the Civil Rights Act 1964, equal education under the law, and affirmative action of 1978 . Brown v. Board of Ed. was the case that overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case in which the court ruled separate but equal was constitutional. We present this abridgment of history because we feel today’s decision by the SCOTUS has the potential to set a precedent that could overturn the Brown v. Board of Education setting our nation back decades.

The opinion of Justice Thomas, who claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities do not embrace diversity, is unfounded, appalling, and highly inappropriate to suggest. Justice Thomas’ rationale has the potential to undo decades of precedent and set our country back to a time where racial inequity ruled the day. Evidence of these extremist Conservative Republican ideals can be found in Florida under the watchful eye of Governor DeSantis who’s slowly trying to reintroduce practices that will deny black people access to advanced studies of our history.

The NAACP Providence Branch condemns the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States and all action that go against the vision and mission of the NAACP, our Partner, and entities that share in our endeavor to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

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The NAACP Providence Branch Demands an Immediate Apology from Walmart

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Statement from the NAACP Providence Branch President Gerald C. Catala

PROVIDENCE (June 23, 2023) – The NAACP Providence Branch is appalled by the racist display of a Black person of color, in particular, the presentation of a young black man in a cage for all patrons to see upon entering the Providence Walmart.

Images of black people in cages represent a long, dark history in this country. From the reality of slavery to the normalizing depictions in everyday entertainment and the harsh realization of the disproportionate number and mass incarceration of black people across our country. Walmart should apologize and recognize that this is insulting and hurtful to Black people in particular, but to all people of color as a whole, which is a large sector of their customer base at that particular Walmart.

The NAACP Providence Branch demands an immediate apology from Walmart to all communities of color. While we understand this is a teachable moment for us all as we grapple with racial inequality in our country and in our communities, in 2023 after our country has been honored with our first Black President and First Black, Black Female Vice President, and First Black Lt. Governor of color, the NAACP Providence branch will not sit idle and allow blatant acts of racism go unaddressed. Our aim is to eliminate racism whenever it is presented and to work proactively with our community partners to ensure racism, anti semitism, homophobia, and hate crimes of all kinds are prevented. I ask all our community partners to stand with us in our demand for an apology.

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ABOUT NAACP

The NAACP Providence Branch, in our 110th year in existence, we are proud to acknowledge our history of courageously pursuing a consistent dedicated course toward the achievement and preservation of civil rights. The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people.