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Be the Change You Want to See

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The Joliet branch of the NAACP celebrated their 25th annual Freedom Fund and Scholarship Banquet on Saturday at the Stone City VFW in Joliet. The keynote speaker for the evening was Attorney Juan Thomas also a former congressional candidate in the 11th congressional district in Illinois. Thomas gave a very inspiring message around the theme for this years banquet, “Be the Change You Want to see in the World.”

Six fortunate students from Joliet West and Joliet Central received $1000 scholarships. Chapter president Betty Washington alone with the chapter vice president Joe Davis who also served as the banquet chair this year presented the students with their scholarship awards

Ralph Bias, a businessman and entrepreneur was honored with the Humanitarian Award for the work he and his wife are doing to help furnish fresh water wells to many devastated rural areas in Uganda, South Africa that are in serious need just to survive on a daily basis.

Davis encourages each person to get more involved in our community, schools, and local government. There is so much work to be done and plenty for everyone to do.

The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality, and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Washington said, the local Joliet Branch shares the same mission.

Photos above: Pic 1 – (Left to right) Branch president Betty Washington and Vice President Joe Davis present Ralph Bias, local businessman with the Humanitarian award at the Local NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. Pic 2 – (Left to right) Frank Brady Master of Ceremony for the evening, his wife Roslyn and NAACP board member Joe Tucker share a moment. Pic 3 – (Left to right) State Representative Larry Walsh Jr., Evelenya Washington, President of BTU and Keynote speaker for the evening Attorney Juan Thomas and his wife Rita.

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