An Evening of Inspiration: The NAACP Annual Dinner is This Saturday

Sheley Secrest, NAACP Regional President, swung by the Black Media Matters studio to join Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgado II on "Almost the Weekend" to break down the upcoming NAACP annual dinner, happening this Saturday at the Tacoma Glass Museum. This isn't just any dinner; it's a once-a-year opportunity to celebrate the civil rights movement, both historically and in the present day. Secrest noted that they'll have folks coming from Alaska, Oregon, and all over Washington to celebrate what the civil rights movement looks like right now. 

Secrest emphasized that this event is a chance to shine a light on today's civil rights leaders who are "making history right now." She highlighted groundbreaking legislative wins that have been achieved despite opposition, including the reparations study for Washington State and the Home Covenant Act, which addresses historical redlining and its impact on generational wealth. 

Beyond the incredibly important work at hand, the night will also feature a performance by Josephine Howell, who will give a "tribute to the lawmakers," and a special acknowledgement for individuals who have faced lengthy incarcerations, celebrating recent legislative changes like the community review board for clemency. Crest specifically mentioned Gerald Hankerson and Waldo Waldren-Ramsey, who were once incarcerated for long sentences and later worked to pass the law broadening the community review board.

A major highlight of the evening will be the keynote address from Dr. John Carlos, the Olympic medalist famous for his black-gloved fist protest at the 1968 Olympics. Secrest explained the profound importance of Carlos's presence, stating, "We can always be taught by the elders in the room." She believes it's crucial for younger generations to hear from someone who "put it all on the line and still live to tell it and say, ‘I would do it again.’" 

In a time when fighting for blackness can feel almost taboo, the dinner will be meant to lift up those who are unapologetically Black on purpose and "who are winning while they're doing it,” Secrest said. She linked this to Angela Davis's quote, "The greatest way people give up their power is believing they don't have any," asserting that celebrating present-day history is about reclaiming Black power. 

On a personal level, Secrest shared that the event means the world to her because it allows her to connect with fellow leaders who intentionally dismantle systems of white supremacy. For her, seeing leaders from Washington, Alaska, and Oregon come together and offer mutual support, is incredibly meaningful. She urged everyone to show up this Saturday, not just to celebrate, but to commit to "walk it like we talk it." 

Secrest stressed that civil rights work is "more than a hashtag" and is visible in current issues like racial profiling and immigration status rulings. She concluded by emphasizing the NAACP's enduring mission for well over a century, stating that the continued need to uplift the original drive means "there's still a whole bunch of work that needs to be done." 

Tickets for the dinner can be purchased through the NAACP Alaska, Oregon, and Washington State Conference website at naacpaowsac.org