Milwaukee NAACP hosts the ‘2026 Freedom Fund Dinner’

On Friday, October 16, 2026, the National Association for the advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Milwaukee Branch hosted its “102nd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner” at the Baird Center, 405 W. Kilbourn Avenue. As the current presidential administration has targeted DEI initiatives and voting rights for African Americans, it was most appropriate that the theme for this year’s dinner was “We the People” with the keynote speech delivered by the Honorable Congressman Bennie G. Thompson representing Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District. In his speech Thompson said, “So Vote” a multimillion-dollar voter outreach and education campaign. The time for waiting has passed…the time for working is now “SO VOTE”

The emcee for the event was TMJ4 News reporter Gideon Verdin. Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, NAACP Milwaukee Branch Clarence P. Nicholas, Ella Dunbar, Joyce Mallory, Rev. Dr. Fred L. Crouther, and Mary Walker participated in the evening’s event. The Freedom Fund Dinner Committee Chairperson for this Year’s event was Gloria Pitchford-Nicholas.

Music was provided by National Recording Artist Carlise Guy & The NuBlu Band.

Opening its doors in 1924, the NAACP Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP has continued the legacy as the oldest, largest, and strongest civil rights organization in the nation to work for political, educational, social, and economic equality for people of color through nonviolent use of the press, the petition, the ballot and the courts.