By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
Inspiration and spirits were high on Saturday, September 29th at the 54th annual Freedom Fund banquet for the Harnett County NAACP. This inspiring experience included energetic leadership, a delicious dinner, and an inspiring speech by Reverend Doctor Hanna R. Broome.
Mr. Tony L. Spears HC NAACP 5473-B President led the event with humor and positive energy. We sang Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing with a saxophone accompaniment by Mr. Kevin Thurman, a candidate for North Carolina House District 53. Reverend Doctor Rosamarie Smith-Williams welcomed us all and introduced the candidates. All county candidates were invited. We heard first, from Markita McCrimmon, running for the District 5 seat on the Harnett County Board of Commissioners. McCrimmon shared, “It’s important that we collaborate and know what’s going on … All I know is to serve and advocate for the community.”
Mr. Kevin Thurman spoke next sharing that he is the son of a retired principal. He elaborated on issues with staffing in schools and how far behind North Carolina is on education spending. Thurman elaborated, “low performing schools are an economic issue.”
Rose Ferguson is running for Harnett County School Board Dist 2. Ferguson highlights the fact that 50% of Harnett County students are testing non-proficiently. As a retired educator and principal, the Harnett County Democracy party shared on their Facebook page, “There hasn’t been a more qualified school board candidate in a decade.”
Kiara Johnson, candidate for NC House District 6 was our final speaker. According to her website, “One of the main reasons for launching this campaign is the lack of quality education available for our children, the need for more schools, and better pay for our teachers. I am working to be the voice of our future. I ask for your support and to vote for me.”
Our final treat was a keynote by Reverend Doctor Hanna R. Broome, National Director of Religious Affairs for the Repairers of the Breach and President of the North Carolina Council of Churches. Rev. Broome addressed the theme of the evening, “Is the struggle over?” Indicating that she was taught, “You never leave a question with a negative, you have to add hope at the end … my heart is heavy but I’m hopeful, we won’t quit fighting.” Speaking on the challenges of the day voter suppression, affordable healthcare, eminent domain, infrastructure and so much more, we were reassured that our voice and our vote can impact these issue as long as we continue to exercise our right to be heard at the ballot box consistently. Rev Broome ended by emphasizing, “We can’t wait for change to come, we have to be the change coming.” Reach out to your local NAACP chapter, this historic organization continues to bring people together and inspire changes in the community.