The Sunflower County Chapter of the NAACP held its annual banquet recently, with former Congressman and Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy as the keynote speaker. Pictured seated are Maggie Barnes, Dr. Barbara McDaniel-Suggs, Inez Cook, Liz Johnson, Mattie Todd, Annie Childs and Barnett Elder. Standing are Rev. Albert Lynn, Attorney Alsee McDaniel, President Charles Modley, Emma Golden, Joe Kent, Louise Lloyd, Vincent Lloyd, Indianola Alderman Marvin Elder and Sunflower County District 2 Supervisor Riley Rice.
The Sunflower County Branch #5333 of the NAACP celebrated its 34th annual Freedom Banquet recently.
The event, which was held on Nov. 23 on the campus of Mississippi Delta Community College, featured former Congressman and Agricultural Secretary and Yazoo City native Mike Espy as this year’s keynote speaker.
The theme coincided with the national NAACP theme, “When we fight, we win.”
The NAACP chose the theme, it said, because of the years “we had to fight for many of our rights.”
“We have truly come a mighty long way, yet there is more work to do,” the organization said in a release this week. “Despite the adversity and opposition faced, we are still here. Our history is important, and we should not forget those that fought valiantly for us to have these rights.”
The national organization has been in existence for 110 years and is among the nation’s oldest grassroots organizations.
This year marks 400 years that African Americans have been in America, the release said.
“We oftentimes take for granted the basic rights that we have been afforded as Americans,” the organization said. “We must recognize at all times that we are a blessed nation.”
The NAACP said the program in November allowed members to reflect, reenergize and recommit to the cause.
Several NAACP members participated in the program.
Some of the highlights were when Emma Golden stirred the crowd with heartfelt sentiment to welcome the audience and when Dr. Barbara McDaniel-Suggs gave a rousing occasion by informing the group of how they can overcome their differences and support one another.
“Progress can be achieved when we lift each other up,” McDaniel-Suggs said.
Lizzie Johnson encouraged the audience as she echoed the purpose of the NAACP.
Charles Modley inspired and captivated the attention of the audience by sharing the NAACP update.
Modley took the members down through history from the early days of slavery to modern-day America.
This is evidenced by the NAACP’s historic fight led by Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Brown vs. Board of Education, (When we fight, we win), along with the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voter’s Rights Act.
Those are proof positive, the release said, that “when we fight, we win.”
“We have stood on the shoulders of giants and we must become, as they were to win the fight,” Modley said. Espy, who is an active candidate for U.S. Senate in Mississippi, revered Sunflower County’s own Fannie Lou Hamer in his address.
He spoke passionately about the respect and admiration he has for her and her legacy.
He said she was the catalyst for his decision to run for office.
He informed the organization that the Delta could be the deciding factor in next year’s election, with the possibility of accounting for 25% more of the vote, the release said.
Some additional highlights of the evening included spirited renditions by Christila Baggett-Strong, Tina L. Steele and “Variety,” along with authentic spoken-word by Eddie Conrod and a delectable meal by Valley Food Services.
Editor’s Note: Mike Espy agreed to be the speaker at the NAACP banquet prior to announcing his bid for U.S. Senate this fall.
