Detroit’s legacy of freedom fighting stretches through every block, pulpit, and ballot box. The NAACP Detroit Branch’s 70th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner is rooted in that same tradition—an intentional gathering that brings power, policy, and people into alignment. Held on June 29 at Huntington Place, this year’s event carries weight at a time when the nation’s direction feels increasingly uncertain.
Detroit NAACP President Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony delivered the announcement with clarity. “This is a most critical time in our nation’s history,” he said. “We all stand at the crossroads of whether we will go forward as Americans together or fall victims to anarchy and demagoguery at the highest levels individually.”
The program reflects that urgency. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland will take the stage as this year’s keynote speaker. As the first African American elected to that office in Maryland and only the third in U.S. history, Moore represents the kind of leadership that rises from lived experience. He brings the perspective of a military veteran, nonprofit leader, and elected official who has made equity a part of his public mandate.
The program continues with a roster of awardees whose work has shaped generations. Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr., Pastor Emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, will receive the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award. Wright has been a foundational voice in Black theology and civic leadership, known for his unapologetic commitment to Black liberation. His decades of service have informed public discourse and deepened the moral backbone of activism across the nation.
Media strategist and journalist Roland Martin will be recognized with the William Monroe Trotter Freedom and Justice Award. As host and managing editor of #RolandMartinUnfiltered, Martin has led with consistency in covering issues that traditional media often sideline. His advocacy for truth, civic engagement, and political accountability continues to reach audiences that rely on culturally grounded reporting to stay informed and empowered.
The Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Award will go to Alice G. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of BFDI Educational Services, Inc. Thompson has spent her career uplifting young people, creating opportunities in education and development that address both immediate needs and long-term equity. Her work reflects a legacy of institution-building that speaks to the heart of Detroit’s commitment to its children and families.
This year’s Great Expectations Award will highlight two leaders who are pushing forward against structural odds to create new possibilities. Courtney Smith, Founder and CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center, will be honored for her efforts to support youth facing homelessness, trauma, and systemic neglect. Smith’s leadership centers dignity, access, and opportunity—core values that speak to the future Detroit youth deserve.
Yousef Almadrahi, Chief Executive Officer of Specialty Medical Center Inc., will also receive the Great Expectations Award for advancing inclusive medical care in underserved communities. Almadrahi’s work bridges gaps that too often leave marginalized families behind when it comes to quality, affordable healthcare.
Each name on this program was selected with intention. Rev. Anthony affirmed that in his remarks: “Our Keynote Speaker and Awardees are befitting of being a part of the lineup for our 70th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.” He added, “Everyone must get in this battle to preserve freedoms that we have fought for over 200 years to maintain. This is why we want to remind everyone according to our theme, ‘The Power Is Within The People.’”
The dinner’s theme calls people back to the very foundation of collective struggle and community strength. This event continues to be a vital space for reflection, recommitment, and recognition. Its impact is woven into the political, economic, and cultural fabric of Detroit.
The Detroit Branch is also placing emphasis on inclusion and legacy with added details for this milestone year. Attendees who are turning 70 in 2025 are invited to be recognized during the event, highlighting the importance of honoring the elders whose lives have shaped the NAACP’s work across generations. These acknowledgments serve as a reminder that our stories and our sacrifices must be documented and uplifted—not forgotten.
The organization is also extending its platform to youth and young adult voices. The deadline for artists ages 14 to 25 to submit legacy table sign designs has been extended to Friday, June 6. That call to participate through creativity signals the Branch’s long-standing commitment to cultural expression as a tool for education and resistance.
The NAACP has also issued an open invitation for youth and young adult dancers between ages 14 and 25 to perform at the dinner. The call reflects the role of movement, music, and presence in Black traditions of gathering and truth-telling. That inclusion reflects a Detroit truth: artistry, advocacy, and activism have always moved together.
Small business and platinum sponsorships are still available. The organization encourages community stakeholders to step into this moment as co-builders and supporters. For those who understand the economic significance of visibility and partnership, this opportunity is more than symbolic—it’s strategic. Local entrepreneurs and institutional allies alike can contribute to a shared vision that supports equity through both celebration and action.
The Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner began as a grassroots response to fund civil rights litigation and support the organizational strength needed to challenge racism in courts and communities. From that foundation, it has grown into one of the largest sit-down events of its kind, drawing thousands of participants and national attention every year. That scale reflects the organizing muscle Detroit has always possessed.
Even as the headlines shift and new challenges emerge, the core remains the same. The NAACP’s mission continues to be about access, justice, and power in the hands of the people. It’s about staying rooted while building forward. This dinner is a reflection of that balance—elevating legacy and inviting new leaders into the arena.
Governor Wes Moore’s participation reinforces how much representation matters at every level. His trajectory represents what happens when systems are challenged and when communities support leaders who reflect their values and their vision. His voice will bring national context to Detroit’s deeply local fight, connecting our struggles to a broader movement.
That same connection runs through the work of Jeremiah Wright, Roland Martin, Alice Thompson, Courtney Smith, and Yousef Almadrahi. Their contributions are not abstract achievements—they’re examples of what it means to show up, build, serve, and advocate even when the stakes are high and the paths forward feel heavy. Their work reflects that justice is a long fight, and Detroit has never backed down from it.
This year’s event is not just a look back. It’s a declaration of where we must go. From the music and movement of the youth performers to the seasoned wisdom of the honorees, every part of the evening will hold meaning. This is what it looks like when a community centers its people, affirms its leaders, and refuses to be erased.
The 70th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner takes place on Sunday, June 29, at 5 p.m. at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. Tickets, tables, and sponsorships can be purchased by visiting detroitnaacp.org or calling (313) 871-2087. Attendees turning 70 this year are invited to contact the Branch for recognition.
This is Detroit’s charge—clear, uncompromising, and rooted in purpose. Every name, every dance, every speech, every sponsor adds to the collective blueprint of what comes next.
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