The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, is gearing up for its Annual Freedom Fund Event, set to take place on Feb. 18 with this year’s theme of “Freedom Rings.”
At the heart of this event lies a profound dedication to the principles of equality, justice, and diversity, making it a cornerstone for promoting social justice and civil rights. Residents of Boulder are invited to join hands in a collective effort to raise awareness, foster togetherness and ignite meaningful dialogue.
The highlight of the evening will be an address by the honored guest speaker, Anthony Ray Hinton. Hinton, an advocate for criminal justice reform and the author of the memoir, “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” will share his compelling journey of resilience and redemption.
“The theme is ‘freedom rings’. We think that the purpose of the Freedom Fund, generally, is just to raise awareness. As part of that, we have Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton, who was on Alabama’s death row for nearly 30 years,” said DeAndre Taylor, the program director for this year’s Freedom Fund, “To imagine being behind bars for that long and being set free ultimately, and allowing someone to tell their story, it resonates with freedom ringing.”
Taylor highlighted the event’s broader community impact, emphasizing the importance of fostering reflection on individual contributions and support for others’ well-being. He encouraged attendees to consider their role in creating positive change and promoting empathy and understanding toward others.
“When I heard him speak, the first time he was sharing his story, I couldn’t help but to think of all the emotions that he felt while he was sitting behind bars for 30 years on Alabama’s death row. From the anger that he may have experienced, the frustration, the sadness and even the happiness when he was exonerated,” Taylor said.
Adding further draw to the event is a performance by R&B recording artist, Danielle Ponder with soulful vocals and poignant lyrics. Over the years, Boulder County’s NAACP has brought in a diverse array of performers and speakers, including the McIntosh County Shouters and the Nashville African American Wind Symphony.
“Every branch of the NAACP has a Freedom Fund Celebration, and most of them across the country are sit-down galas and usually ticketed fundraisers. However, Boulder is a bit different. Our Freedom Fund Celebrations are always free of charge because we recognize the importance of community and providing meaningful cultural experiences,” Taylor said.
With the support of sponsors and community partners of the NAACP, this event is open to the public and completely free of charge. Regardless of background or affiliation, all are encouraged to partake in an evening brimming with inspiration, entertainment and the spirit of unity.
“The purpose of the NAACP is to have an impact in all of the communities,” Taylor said. “The injustice everywhere in each community has its own set of circumstances. Our goal of the branch is not to focus on who’s in the community, but to really uplift the community, and that’s what the branch is committed to.”
The NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Event is scheduled for Feb. 18 at 3:00 p.m. The event will be held at The Macky Auditorium Concert Hall, located at 1595 Pleasant St, Boulder.
“The branch here in Boulder, our pillars are political action, communication, criminal justice, economic opportunity, education, social justice, religious affairs,” Taylor said. “Those are all the areas that we focus on. So, I’m hoping that we can speak to the pillars of the NAACP here in Boulder, and the work that we’re going to be doing here in a few short days on February 18.”
