The theme of the Saturday NAACP Freedom Fund banquet was in keeping with the buildup to Election Day: “empowering people through justice, freedom and the power of voting.”

Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale gave the keynote address.

As the nation gets closer to the presidential election on Nov. 4, the Orangeburg branch of the NAACP is encouraging voters to get out to the polls.

The Freedom Fund banquet at Williams Grand Lodge on Russell Street aimed “to raise awareness about individuals who are unaware about the power of voting,” said Sharon Daniels, Orangeburg NAACP branch secretary.

Setting the tone for the event, local branch President William H. Wilson challenged those in attendance to take their position as mentors and tutors to the next generation. Wilson said it is time that this generation take the torch and move on.

“This generation must leave what our grandparents left us -- a sense of pride, dignity, respect and responsibility,” Wilson said.

Tisdale complimented Wilson’s message by telling the audience: If you want people to vote, then you got to give them a reason to vote.

“Our young people are not finishing high school and I believe that’s a reason,” Tisdale said. “I believe that’s a civil rights reason.”

He pointed out a strong correlation between education and voting, citing a 2003 study compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau indicating 75 percent of people with a bachelor’s degree have shown a steady pattern of voting in elections compared to 38 percent of people without degrees.

“Education is the first step to freedom and justice,” Tisdale said.

As part of the program, Mrs. Rubena Fogle and H.B. Pasley were awarded plaques for their dedicated service with the local branch. A number of sororities were also recognized, including the Orangeburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority Inc., the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority/Beta Zeta Omega, the Zeta Phi Beta sorority and Alph Phi Alpha fraternity. All funds raised at the event go toward programs for the Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP, with a focus on health advocacy, economic advocacy, criminal justice advocacy, education advocacy, civic engagement and college scholarships, Daniels said.

The program ended with the branch president reminding everyone that the NAACP challenged the nation to change.

“Many doors have been opened but many have been closed,” Wilson said. “We came a long way but still got a long way to go. It might not come easy or quickly, but it comes and it comes with a price.”

Rodney Brown is a student in the Mass Communications Department at Claflin University. He is an intern in The T&D newsroom for the fall semester.

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