The Houston NAACP is having their annual Freedom Fund Gala. With the theme, “Freedom Forward... Ensuring Justice and Equity for Future Generations,” this year’s dinner (the first since COVID) will mark the inauguration of the new date change of our annual event. We’ve changed our event from October to February, during the annual month of Black History Celebration.

This black-tie event will kick-off with a Reception at 7:00pm; followed by the dinner and Program at 8:00 p.m. We’re delighted that our NAACP National Board Member and Regional Vice President of Communication Workers of America, Mr. Claude Cummings, Jr, joined by his wife Dr. Ruth Cummings will serve as this year’s Dinner Chairs. Also, we’re delighted that our NAACP National Board Members, Attorney Gary Bledsoe and Mr. Leonard James will serve as Dinner Co-Chairs.

We are elated to announce that this year’s coveted Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award will be bestowed upon The Honorable Senfronia Thompson. For her five decades of civic leadership, human rights advocacy, fighting to advance equality, equity and justice in Houston and our state, she deserves this honor. We’re equally excited to announce the distinguished President’s Award recipients, Dr. Joseph Gathe, Jr (Healthcare Excellence Advocate of the Year), Argentina James (Economic Empowerment Advocate of the Year) and Mrs. Courtney Johnson-Rose (Housing Advocate of the Year). Lastly, our Houston NAACP will present Freedom Forward Legends Awards to an amazing group of iconic individuals. Each one has generationally contributed to the progress of our community by impacting Houston, our nation and the globe through civil and human rights endeavors and through compassionate philanthropy. NAACP Legends Honorees include Mr. Dusty Baker, Mrs. Carol Mims Galloway, Tina Knowles Lawson, Mr. Ricky Anderson, Esq. and Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus.

Since May 1918, the Houston NAACP has been the steadfast civil rights organization, creating, improving, and fighting for policies related to civil and human rights, economics, education, fair housing, criminal justice, health, environment, and other areas where discrimination adversely impacts people of color in Houston, Harris and surrounding counties. We are asking you to sponsor our Freedom Fund Advocacy & Awards Dinner, (our branch’s sole fundraiser) that enables our branch to continue to carry out our mission which directly benefits thousands of Houstonians annually.