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Bryan County NAACP hosts 2026 Freedom Fund Gala
Bryan County NAACP freedom fund gala 2026
(L-R): Pembroke Mayor Tiffany Zeigler, Lawquina Gilliard (Deputy City Clerk), Laurie Baio (District Attorney Candidate, Solicitor for the City of Pembroke), Luella Sanders, Brenda Tyson (Chief of Police), Melisa Buttimer (Detective Sergeant), Larisha Hucks (Deputy Court Clerk). Kneeling: Councilman Johnnie Miller. (Photo/Justin Hall).

Justin Hall, correspondent

The Bryan County NAACP Branch #5648 held their fifth annual Freedom Fund Gala at the Hendrix Park Gym this past Saturday, October 10.

The Bryan County NAACP Branch #5648 is heavily involved in civic engagement and community empowerment. One of their highest pursuits and areas of impacts is education. In 2021, they established the Higher Education Scholarship program and have since awarded 59 scholarships totaling $63,000.

The key speaker for the event was Congressman Henry C. Johnson, Jr. Congressman Johnson has served Georgia's 4th Congressional District since 2007, representing parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Congressman Johnson has sought to preserve the constitutional right to a trial by jury by introducing the FAIR Act.

Congressman Johnson spoke on the importance of voting and the political discourse that is currently plaguing the nation. He offered sound advice for how the masses should treat one another despite the difficult climate.

"Even though we may be politically divided, it does not mean that we should allow ourselves to go to war with each other," Congressman Johnson said. "We can share our views and accept each other and try to meet the middle when it comes to policy and we can ensure our survival for the next 250 years."

Luella Sanders serves as the Freedom Fund Committee Chairwoman for the Bryan County NAACP. She spoke on the value of an event such as this and how it affects not only her but those around her.

"It's extremely important not only to me but to our community," Sanders said. "We're going to celebrate our community because that's the only way we're going to be stronger is together."

Several awards were also presented:

The Step Up To the Plate Award was presented to Cynthia Dixon and Tiffany Ziegler. This award was presented to those individuals that have supported the Bryan County NAACP and have gone above and beyond to support the branch.

The President's Awards were presented to Paul Thurston and Johnnie Miller. This award was given to them when they were called on to put on the events of the Bryan County NAACP.

The 2026 Community Impact Partners of the Year were presented to Moriah Baptist Church, the City of Pembroke and the Restoration Worship Center.

The 2026 Freedom Fund Committee consists of the following individuals: Luella M. Sanders, Chair; Wendy Futch Sims; Rita Cobb; Deloris Williams; Johnnie Miller; and Paul Thurston.