By Susan Johnson, Publicity Chair
The Cincinnati NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner will be held this year on Saturday, October 4, at 6 p.m. at the Sharonville Convention Center.
Tickets are on sale now, and the cost is $95 per person. The dinner will be preceded by an intimate VIP Reception for our sponsors. We also bring back our after party which tickets are also separately available. The dinner will include honors of annual Awardees and an array of entertainment. This year we look forward to recognizing the following Award Recipients during the Freedom Fund Dinner:
2025 President’s Award Recipient
Jerome Jackson
Pharmacist, Walgreens
The President’s Award is the highest award given at the local branch level that is chosen by the branch president to recognize an individual that has been a pillar of the organization for their individual sacrifice and overall impact.
2025 Game Changer Award Recipient
Phillip Holloman
The Game Changer Award recognizes the invaluable contributions of an individual that is vital to the mission, goals and objectives of the local NAACP branch by demonstrating a high-level of service making a noticeable difference in the fight for Civil Rights and against injustice.
2025 Wright-Overstreet Memorial Award Recipient
Rickell Howard Smith, Esq.
CEO, YWCA of Greater Cincinnati
The Wright Overstreet Award was established in 1989 to honor the memories of two dedicated Civil Rights leaders, Rev. Samuel Ross Wright and Mr. Henry Overstreet, Jr.
2025 Theodore M. Berry Award Recipient
Mayor Aharon Brown
Mayor, Forest Park
The Theodore M Berry Award was established in 1995 to recognize outstanding achievement in the political arena and in service to the community.
Ted Berry was Hamilton County’s first African- American Assistant Prosecutor, and Cincinnati’s first African American Mayor. He was Assistant Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in Washington D.C. He served as President of the Cincinnati Branch of the NAACP for 10 years.
2025 Empowering Education Award Recipient
Chara Fisher Jackson
Executive Director & CEO, Preschool Promise
The Empowering Education Award recognizes leaders in education, who greatly impact African American students in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
Community Outreach & Partnership Award Recipients
The Community Outreach Award recognizes the organization or persons that exemplify the values and mission of the NAACP in their outreach, efforts, and impact in the Greater Cincinnati area.
2025 Individual Community Outreach & Partnership Award Recipient
Matthew White
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Cincinnati
2025 Non-Profit Community Outreach & Partnership Award Recipient
The Cincinnati Reds
2025 Corporate Community Outreach & Partnership Award Recipient
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
2025 Inspiring Innovator Award Recipient
Alandes Powell
Executive Director, Black Art Speaks
The Inspiring Innovator Award is given to organizations or persons who change the world we live in with their innovation and creativity.
2025 Eula Melson Distinguished Volunteer Award Recipient
Jean Beirise
Member, Cincinnati NAACP
The Eula Melson Distinguished Volunteer Award recognizes a very impactful volunteer of the Cincinnati Branch of the NAACP and a trusted member that has over time dedicated their time, energy, and resources to help push forward the mission of the local branch of the NAACP.
For sponsorship information or to donate to the Cincinnati NAACP, please visit our website at www.cincinnatinaacp.com or kindly contact our local office, at 513 281-1900.