Carbondale branch of NAACP hosts 46th Freedom Fund Banquet – The Southern

CARBONDALE Dr. Jeffrey Burgin, SIU vice chancellor for student affairs, told those at the Carbondale Branch of the NAACPs 46th annual Freedom Fund Banquet that we must make some collective changes or suffer the consequences.

The Carbondale Branch NAACP hosted the 46th Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Civic Center in Carbondale.

The founders of the NAACP had an altruistic idea of eradicating inequality, Burgin said.

The theme of the banquet was Thriving Together: In Movement. In Culture. In Community.

Burgin told the crowd they need to challenge themselves to change their way of thinking.

Dr. Linda Flowers addresses the Carbondale community at the 46th Freedom Fund Banquet hosted by the Carbondale NAACP on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

He asked the crowd, Who was the greatest basketball player of all time, the GOAT?

The crowd shouted several answers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, LeBron James.

Burgin then asked why every name was of a player from the NBA. He named some basketball players who never went to the NBA.

Volunteers and members of the Carbondale NAACP prepare to serve food to those attending the 46th Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

We must be more vigilant and pour into our young people, Burgin said. We cant wait on other people to make Carbondale better, we have to do it for ourselves.

He used the story of Stone Soup to show how a community often has what it needs to meet challenges to improve.

Carbondale community leaders attend the Carbondale Branch NAACP 46th Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

In the story, a group of travelers become stranded in a town and need food. The townspeople say they do not have enough food to help. One of the travelers asks for a pot to make soup. He adds a magic stone to the pot, but says the soup would be better if someone added potatoes. One by one, the residents of the town add to the pot to create wonderful soup.

Burgin said we have more resources than at any other time, adding we should support Carbondale Warming Center, Jackson CEO and other local groups.

Members of the Carbondale community attend the Carbondale Branch NAACP 46th Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

We must be willing to offer all we are to change our community and better our world, Burgin said.

The master of ceremonies was Abigail Cook, Miss Juneteenth of Southern Illinois 2023. Cook is a senior at Murphysboro High School. She was invited to speak by Anna Jackson, chairperson of the Freedom Fund Banquet.

Angela Travis said the banquet means a lot to her.

Its just people coming together, all ranges of people, Travis said.

She said its important to come together and remember those who fought for justice, including the people who lost their lives.

Elva Painer said it is important to come together with people of different backgrounds, different politics and aspirations.

Madlynn Walker was at the banquet with her son and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Khalliq.

Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey speaks at the Carbondale Branch NAACP 46th Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

I come every year. I started coming as a small child, Walker said. Its a family tradition.

She added that this gives her young son exposure to a group singing Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Melissa McCutchen, NAACP second vice president, recognized the recipients of the Dr. Seymour Bryson Scholarship: Christopher Burnside, a student at Missouri Baptist University, and Leah Radney, a student at Ball State University.

The Carbondale NAACP banner.

Linda Flowers, Carbondale Branch of the NAACP president, recognized new life members of the organization and invited those who were not NAACP members to join.

During the event, Alexis Estes, owner of Lexys Art Room, painted a large picture to represent the banquet. The picture, featuring different-colored flowers representing the people at the banquet, was auctioned.

Jackson County States Attorney Joe Cervantes bought the painting. He plans to hang it in the lobby of his office with a plaque recognizing Estes.

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Carbondale branch of NAACP hosts 46th Freedom Fund Banquet - The Southern