The Effingham County branch of the NAACP held their Freedom Fund and Honors banquet on Sept. 12 with over 150 people attending, according to organizers.
The event was held at the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association Social Hall in Guyton.
Guyton Mayor Michael Garvin served as the emcee.
Local chapter president Leroy Lloyd introduced Francys Johnson, the president of the Georgia State NAACP, as the principal speaker.
Johnson spoke on many topics, including the history of the NAACP and its role in terms of the advancement of all people, including African–Americans. He urged all pastors to involve themselves in the NAACP and its projects. Johnson also talked about the ongoing discussion in Effingham County concerning the display of Confederate symbols in the school district.
Franklin Goldwire introduced the four honorees, providing the audience with a brief resume on the lives and careers of these distinguished individuals and their positive roles in the larger extended community. The four honorees are Joann Jackson, the director, Reading Room, the Rooche - Jackson Foundation, Guyton; Roger P. Scott Sr., the founder and CEO, Scott & Sons Trucking, LLC, Rincon; Jasmine Nethels, currently attending N.C. Central University School of Law, Durham, N.C,. as the youth honoree; and Rincon Police Chief, Phillip Scholl. Chief Scholl introduced several of the Rincon uniformed officers in attendance.
After the four announced honorees received their awards, Lloyd surprised ten individuals with his own President’s Award.
They are Mayor Michael Garvin, Wilbert (Butch) Green, Roy L. Griffin Sr., Diann Hicklen, Douglas Kirkland, Lucy Powell, Boyce Slayman, Mary (Pearl) Thomas, the Rev. Delmons White, and Tony Chiariello.
Lloyd announced his appreciation to the Gala Committee. The members are Evelyn Allen, Elondia Harden, Lashay Harden, Nashaunda Harden, Lucy Powell, Sabrina Scott, the Rev. Bernard Scott, Pearl Thomas, and Tony Chiariello. Special recognition was directed to Sabrina Scott, who served as the contact person to the public for ticket sales and ad journal entries.