Hampton Roads Community News

Virginia Beach NAACP Hosts 2025 Freedom Fund Gala

Under the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” the Virginia Beach NAACP’s 2025 Freedom Fund Gala rallied community leaders, youth poets, and advocates around preserving democracy — with calls to support the “Yes 10-1” referendum and strengthen civic engagement.
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VIRGINIA BEACH

The Virginia Beach Branch of the NAACP hosted its 2025 Freedom Fund Gala on Saturday October 11 under the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now” at the E. Ray Cox Convocation Center. Membership Chair Tony Harold served as the Master of Ceremony.

The keynote speaker was Dr. James Allen, Pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church, who delivered remarks from the topic, ”Building Democracy One District At A Time.”

The Branch is encouraging support for the “Yes 10-1 Referendum” that would keep in place the city’s new district-based system of voting.

“Organize, strategize and mobilize,” he urged, noting that building democracy requires building responsive and engaged communities.

Others bringing remarks were Dr. Eric Claville, Director, Center for African American Public Policy, Georgia Allen, First Vice President of the Beach’s NAACP, and the Branch’s President Dr. Eric Majette.

Kassan Wellington and Judah Bannarbie, Act-So Gold Medal Winners, entertained the audience with poetic recitations they delivered in competition with NAACP youth across the nation.