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Freedom Fund Luncheon 2010

News || Souvenir Booklet || Photos

The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II
NAACP National Board Member and President of North Carolina NAACP
was the Keynote Speaker at Goose Creek NAACP Freedom Fund Luncheon

John Matthews
Press & Publicity Chairman
Goose Creek NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Goose Creek Branch celebrated their 6th Freedom Fund anniversary with a luncheon on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.  The branch held a luncheon this year in place of the traditional banquet affair. 

Branch president, Brenda Bines said, the theme for this year’s celebration was “NAACP: One Nation, One Dream,” which reflects the NAACP’s focus.  She said, “we are all part of the same organization and all have the same dream of freedom, equality, and justice for all people."

Representative Joseph H. Jefferson (District 102 - Berkeley County ) was the master of ceremonies and  the keynote speaker was the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II president of the North Carolina State Conference of NAACP Branches.  Rev. Barber is also a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors and pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Greensboro, N. C. Board Member of the NC Justice Center, and Chairperson, Rebuilding Broken Places Community Development Corporation.

Since the Rev. Dr. William Barber became president he has lead the North Carolina NAACP State Conference to national recognition when he accepted the 2006 Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Esq. Award for legal activism, the highest award in the NAACP for Legal Redress for Advocacy. In addition, in 2008 the NC NAACP became the recipient of the Thalheimer Award for most programmatic NAACP State Conference.  The NC NAACP is the largest state conference in the south—third largest in nation. The Rev. Dr. Barber led the efforts to free James Johnson, a young man wrongfully accused of murder, kidnapping, and rape who spent 3 ½ years in jail with no trial.  He has also helped secure the freedom of innocent African American men from Death Row and the passage of the Racial Justice Act. He helped win Same Day Registration and Early Voting in NC.  In 2009 he led the Millions Voter March that helped more than 1.2 million black/brown voters go to polls.

President Bines said, “The Goose Creek NAACP Branch was honoured to be the first branch in South Carolina where the Rev. Barber was the keynote speaker.” National and State NAACP leaders in attendance were: Dr. Lonnie Randolph, president of the South Carolina State Conference of NAACP Branches, Madie Robinson, president of Florence NAACP branch and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Dot Scott, president Charleston NAACP branch, Elder Phillip Taylor Sr., president of Colleton County NAACP, and Jerod Frazier, 1st Vice President of North Charleston NAACP branch.
Also in attendance was Berkeley County Councilman Bob Call who encouraged everyone to be sure and vote in the upcoming runoff elections.

The luncheon celebration honored Bishop Johnie Johnson, Sr., pastor of Calvary Church of God In Christ, Goose Creek, S.C.  with this year’s Faith Based Community Service Award  Bishop Johnie Johnson, Sr. is a charter member of the Goose Creek NAACP branch and is a stalwart advocate for civil rights and equity for all citizens.  Whenever a suspected incident of injustice occurs, Bishop Johnson can be counted on to assist and minister to those in need.  Bishop was unable to attend the luncheon and his daughter, Havella McGee received the award on his behalf.

Master Sergeant Letty J. Clay received the 2010 Community Service Award for her work with children at risk and her ministry to women incarcerated.  Upon receiving her award Master Sergeant Clay said, “I was humbled to be honoured. Rev. Dr. Barber was dynamic, and I only wish that there were more people who would’ve come out to be a part and to hear all of the enlightening and pertinent things that were discussed and touched on during the luncheon”

Goose Creek NAACP branch member, Ra’nese Harrell received the 2010 Branch President’s Award for her loyal and dedicated service to the branch and the causes of the NAACP.  The Branch President never announces in advance who the recipient of the President’s Award is going to be so Ra’nese was totally surprised when her name was called.  Ra’nese said, “I would like to thank the branch for finding me worthy to receive the Presidential award.”

Melodic and inspirational music was provided by keyboardist Kendrick Brown, a talented 17 year old rising senior at Stratford High School and the Combined Choir of New Grove Hall Christian Church.

Dr. Barber entitled his message "In Times Like These" and told the audience the NAACP is not a social organization but a Civil Rights advocacy organization.  He went on to talk about the historic achievements of the NAACP in the past century.

Elder Phillip M. Taylor, Sr., president of Colleton County NAACP said “Dr. Barber's message, "In Times Like These," spoke to the necessity of the NAACP membership to recognize and appreciate our successes and to also possess the fortitude and resilience to stay in the struggle.  I echo his sentiment that we must not be paralyzed by pedigree and position, but we must do the work for which our fathers died with integrity and grace.”

Dot Scott, president of Charleston NAACP branch said, “I anticipated nothing short of a dynamic message from Dr. Barber and he exceeded even that expectation. His message emphasized without explicitly stating it that the work of Civil Rights is the work of the Lord.”

Andrea Glover Matthews who was president when the branch was chartered and served as president for 5 years said, “Our members are active in the community and work very hard make things better for everyone.  While the Goose Creek Branch is only seven years old we are faithfully serving the community carrying out the mission of advocating for political, educational, social, and economic quality of the rights of all citizens, as well as eradicating racial injustice.

This year’s Freedom Fund Celebration was Co-Chaired by William Watson and Andrea Glover Matthews. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama (2-8-2008)

Souvenir Booklet (.PDF format)

Photographs from Freedom Fund Luncheon