NAACP Concludes 2021 Freedom Fund Week With Virtual Event

Last Saturday, October 23, marked the 108^th anniversary of the founding of the Seattle-King County Branch of the NAACP. The branch celebrated with a live event rounding off the 2021 Freedom Fund Week, October 18-23.

The theme, Living the Legacy, tells the story of the ongoing struggle for civil rights in not only Seattle and King County, but across the nation. During the Freedom Fund week, daily videos featured current NAACP participants including Branch 2^nd Vice President Erica Conway, the Economic Development Committee, Branch Treasurer Darrell Powell, CPA, Political Action Committee Chair Amy Stoddard, ACT-SO Committee Chair Monica TL Lewis, ACT-SO Alumnus Jaden T. Beleford, and Branch President Carolyn Riley-Payne.

Donations to the local branch of the NAACP help fund the activities of all these committees and more, such as in-person events, development and distribution of voter education materials, or the transportation costs for an ACT-SO finalist to attend the regional and national competitions.

The live event, hosted by Rob Brower of Aletheia Digital Media, included recorded presentations by 1^st Vice President Claude Burfect, President Carolyn Riley-Payne, and the event’s keynote speaker, Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley.

Burfect has been an active part of the NAACP legacy since 1957, when he and his sister coached potential voters on the 50-question literacy test that was required of voters at the time. He has since been involved in SNCC, CORE, and attended the 1963 March on Washington.

Riley-Payne spoke to how it is up to each of us to carry on the legacy by doing whatever we can to further the cause of civil rights and social justice here at home and across the country. The NAACP has committees that need your help, and you can still donate to the Freedom Fund through next Friday, Oct. 29. You can send a check, or quickly donate online at https://tinyurl.com/FFLivingtheLegacy.

The keynote speaker, Kirsten Harris-Talley, spoke of how she had been raised by elders, who are now ancestors. She pointed out that we, right now, are the ancestors of the future, and we should be mindful to leave a legacy of wins for the community and the cause of social justice.