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NAACP Gala Affair, an Evening to Remember
The York-James City, Williamsburg Branch, NAACP sponsored
its 25th Silver Jubilee Life Membership Gala/Banquet on Saturday,
April 21, 2004 at the Williamsburg Marriot.
The Black-Tie Gala was attended by close to 500 people. It
was the Branch’s annual fundraiser that supports the local programs and advocacy
activities of the NAACP. The event was also an opportunity to promote the
organization, its mission and to recognize Branch accomplishments and activity.
Currently, the local branch of the NAACP (National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People) under the leadership of
Arthur Mallory has reached new heights.
During the reception, guests participated in a silent
auction, viewed a pictorial history exhibit of the Branch and networked with
community leaders.
Mayor Jeanne Zeidler of
Williamsburg, and Gregory Cummings, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and
Quality for Philip Morris USA, served as Honorary Chairs. Master of Ceremony
was S. Tyrone Alexander, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and
Administrative Services, Highmark, Inc. Both Honorary Chairs delivered remarks
and praised the accomplishments and the work of the local Branch and the vital
role of the NAACP. Cummings said, “as a son of the segregated south, I grew up
witnessing the NAACP’s vital role in Achieving civil rights for everyone.”
Branch President Mallory followed with remarks after dinner and reminded the
audience, “Historically, it has been the crucial support from volunteers that
has enabled the NAACP to remain the oldest, the largest, the most powerful, the
most feared and the most effective civil rights Organization in the world.” He
encouraged the community to work for positive change and to become a model
community.
Students from the area schools were presented the following
scholarships: YJCW – NAACP Scholarships were presented to Arrion Dennis and Glen
Carter II, Lydia Frazier Gardner Educational Award was presented to Sherri
Simons, Brian Bowman and Glen Carter II. Rudy Arrington received the Branch
Education Assistance Award. $7,800 in scholarship money was presented.
Life Membership Awards were presented to nine individuals
and one church. Arthur Mallory received the Branch’s first Diamond Life
Membership, and Natalie Mallory received the Gold Life Membership Award. Rev.
William Dawson, Brady Graham, and Louida Taylor received Regular Life Membership
Awards. New Silver Life memberships were awarded to Kay Ainsworth, Dorothy
Flood, Colon Campbell and Russell Tabb. Bethel Baptist Church of Yorktown was
awarded the Organization Silver Life Membership. The J. Blaine Blayton Award
was presented to Irene Wallace Lee for her long-term, dedicated community
service.
The winner of the seven-day stay at Kings Creek Resort was
Tonya Smith-Jackson of Blacksburg, Virginia, and Edna Baker of Williamsburg won
the 50/50 Raffle.
TradeMark Band provided music for the occasion.
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York
- James City - Williamsburg NAACP