NAACP Celebrates Annual Freedom Fund Dinner With Keynote Speaker John Boyd
Boyd to Describe Lessons Learned Advocating for One of Nation’s Largest Civil Rights Class Action Suits
Las Vegas, NV - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Las Vegas Branch announced today that nationally-known civil rights champion John Boyd will deliver the keynote address at its annual Freedom Fund Banquet fundraising event. The dinner takes place on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
This celebration will reflect on the past 100 years but most importantly look forward as we seek to affect change. Our theme, in what has become the vehicle for change within the Las Vegas Branch, is “Silent No Longer.” As we work to eliminate the silence, we look back at the days in which, while we did not have victories, we did have people that enabled our struggle for justice to be achieved.
As the nation’s leading representative for tens of thousands of black farmers, John Boyd is a beacon for all those who’ve suffered discrimination and oppression. His long journey as a farmer and leader of the National Black Farmers Association has shown that determination and a steadfast belief in the truth can move mountains. Boyd has taken his message to the White House, Wall Street, Capitol Hill and countless media outlets on a mule named “Struggle” and a tractor named “Justice.” Boyd has worked hand in hand with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who has been a champion of the African-American community in the Senate.
“The Freedom Fund Dinner is the signature event for the NAACP Las Vegas Branch,” said Dora LaGrande, co-chair of the Freedom Fund Committee. “This event helps us to raise the dollars needed to continue to help people throughout the community in the struggle for equality, civil rights, and ongoing education.” Frank Hawkins, President, noted that John Boyd is an ideal speaker for the event. “John Boyd will share with the community the plight of the African American farmer. We are honored to have him as our keynote speaker.”
John Boyd founded the National Black Farmers Association in 1995 when the racial discrimination he encountered by the United States Department of Agriculture nearly resulted in the foreclosure of his farm. After leading a march to the White House and testifying before Congress, his message received national awareness. Today, Boyd continues to advocate for civil rights and the hardships the black farmers face every day.
The community is encouraged to join the celebration and support a worthy cause. Dollars raised through the event are used to support the branch’s ongoing mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic civil rights of all minority persons living in the Las Vegas Valley.
Individual tickets are $100, and corporate sponsorships are still available. For more information on the event, please contact Artis Brown or Dora LaGrande at 702 873-8882 Ext 113.
