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NAACP Boulder County President Annette James (Cliff Grasmick) looks at a children’s book written by Nysia Williams during Longmont’s annual Juneteenth Celebration in June 2023 at Roosevelt Park. — Staff photographer)
The Boulder County NAACP encourages the local community to come together to enjoy an afternoon of music, stories, and inspiration at the 2024 Freedom Fund Celebration.
The free event on February 18th, held inside McKee Auditorium at the University of Colorado Boulder, celebrates February as Black History Month and is an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to elevate the talents and voices of Black community members.
“We are determined to show the rest of the world that the stereotypes that are forced upon us are not real and are not true,” said Madeline Strong Woodley, Freedom Fund Chair of the NAACP Boulder County Chapter. he said. “There are completely different factions among our people who seek greatness.”
This year’s featured guest is Anthony Ray Hinton, a writer and activist who was wrongly accused of murder in Alabama and spent nearly 30 years in prison. Hinton was acquitted in 2015 with help from the Equal Justice Initiative and attorney Bryan Stevenson.
“The arresting officers told (Hinton) at the time that they didn’t care if he was guilty or innocent,” Woodley said. “They will make sure to arouse enough suspicion that he is not found to be innocent.”
At the Freedom Fund Gala, Hinton will share his years of experience in the criminal justice system and on death row. Woodley said Hinton’s story fits with the NAACP’s mission of educating and shining a light on past wrongdoing.
“Social justice is a major part of the work we do, and of course it’s important to bring these types of stories to the Boulder County community,” she said.
In addition to Hinton’s remarks at the Freedom Fund Gala, there will also be live music by Washington, D.C., R&B musician Daniel Ponder. Mr. Ponder, a former defense attorney, also performed at last year’s NAACP national convention.
Music was also the theme for the 2023 Freedom Fund Gala when the Boulder County NAACP hosted the Nashville African American Wind Symphony at McKee Auditorium. Woodley said she remembers being so proud as she watched the musicians take to the stage with their instruments and formal attire.
“It was an eye-opener for me, too,” Woodley said.
Woodley explained that unlike many Freedom Fund celebration events held by other branches of the NAACP, the Boulder County branch is committed to keeping its events free and open to the public.
“We’re going to use this as a gift to the community,” Woodley said.
The Freedom Fund Celebration begins at 3 p.m. at Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St. Guests are asked to register at bit.ly/4btTvyq.
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