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[music] Now, for the first time on telev West Tennessee PBS WLJ Channel 11 is proud to present the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, a time to honor diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This is the 61st Freedom Fund Ba Coming to you from Downtown Jackson, let's join the celebration fro the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

[music] [singing] This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let I've got a light inside of me I'm going to let it shine I've got a light inside of me I'm going to let it shine I've got a light inside of me I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let Because I love humanity I'm going to let it shine Because I love humanity I'm going to let it shine Because I love humanity I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let [applause] Thank you so very much again for all your attendance and your suppor for the Jackson-Madison County N We're glad to have you her on the 61st Freedom Fund Anniver and as you know our history, we've been around since 1920.

1920 is what about a?

That's over-- That's a 104 years Trust me, I'm not that old, but that it is a journey that we're that is worth fighting, because freedom is not free.

Freedom is something that we fight for, okay?

Greetings, community members, I am so excited to see each and every one of you.

It is always a pleasure for you to be here.

It is a great honor for you to for our 61st Annual NAACP Banque As this year's them is the power of unity, and commu We gather to celebrate not only but a rich legacy.

A remarkable achievement of the NAACP right here in the Jackson-Madison County Community, and we want to thank you and you are in for an outstandin We appreciate your flexibility, Thank you.

[applause] Would you now please pay attent to the Jackson Police Department They will come fort with the posting of the colors, and simultaneously with that, o thereafter, the National Anthem, and the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, will be sung by Kelsea Merriweat a gospel recording artist.

Let's pay attention to our poli department posting the colors.

[music] [singing The Star-Spangled Banne O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright s through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave [applause] [singing Lift Every Voice and Si Lift every voice and sing, 'Til earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling rolling sea.

Can we sing together on this one Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on 'til victory We got to march on 'til victory Let us march on 'til victory is won.

[applause] We thank the police department for posting the colors.

We especially thank Ms. Merriwea for singing that song.

[applause] She sung the National Anthem very well, and she put that feelin into Lift Every Voice and Sing.

If you didn't feel anything when she sung that song, something's wrong with you.

You know those words talking about stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, fel in the days when hope unborn had That tells you it was no hope.

None, but our ancestors cam through it to where we are today and we should do what we need t in order to show respect to them President Carter will now come f and he has the task of presentin our keynote speaker for tonight, a lady of many accomplishments.

Let's please welcome, President [applause] Thank you, Richard.

This lady needs no introduction, because she has many honors over the years that she has ser this community, and particularly the state of Tennessee at Tennessee State University.

She served in a capacity that not many people could handle.

In my opinion she has done an extraordinary jo She continues to serve this comm She's a trained CPA.

She also has a law degree.

She highlights the educational achievements that she has had wit the Tennessee State University.

She aligns her values with-- Shared between not only the people there at Nas but also it makes the system ju look good, because a land-grant is one that is supported by the state of Tennessee, and when their hands were called about the money that they really she went to work.

She has built dormitories.

She has built things.

She has brought programs togethe She has focused on the work at h and I can tell you, she's an extraordinary lady.

I'm not going to read all of thi She didn't want me to.

I love to read.

[chuckles] We know her as a public servant, a person of God, who has been in the vineyard fighting for the rights of peopl that has been undervalued for a and continue to be.

She moves the needle.

She makes sur that her shoulders is to the plo and that when she is in the fie what she does, matters to all of Ladies and gentlemen let me present Ms. Glenda Glover [applause] [laughs] [?]

I know.

I know.

[laughs] [?]

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

President Harrell Carter, this extraordinary leader of this NAACP branch, to our presiding officer, Councilman Donnell, to the other elected and appointed officials, other day's guests and all who are present this eve it's just such a rich privilege with you in Jackson at this NAAC Freedom Fund dinner.

As we continue our ever-ending battle for social justice, economic equality, and education I thank the Jackson branc of the NAACP for the most meanin role that you have played throughout our history, our Civil Rights struggle in his This Jackson branc has been on the front line for j the front line for a long time, making it possible for many of to stand where we stand today.

We're still counting on you.

Thank you, Mr. Carter, for intro Thank you very much.

Got to school straight.

[laughter] That's because you graduated from Jackson State, and I was at Jackson State so it was on your mind, so it's We're all working together to make it happen.

I want to take a moment right n and share my own NAACP resume wi I became a life membe of the NAACP in Memphis at the a My father was an active member of the Memphis branch and a Civil Rights leader in Mem I grew up in a Civil Rights home At 15, I was president of a yout that was organized by Ms. Maxine and Dr. Benjamin Hooks in Memphi I used to tell peopl that I was their daughter, they I remained active.

I literally grew up in the NAACP I'm just so honored to be here t I encourage everybody to support the NAACP and to write a check to the NAACP.

Amen.

[applause] We have a new model that we must emphasize.

It involves a change in our atti toward each other.

It must be based on love and respect and forgiveness, and working together as other populations do.

We can't hol these grudges for life forever.

We have to forgive and get toge and defeat the enemy together.

The model of how to love and support each other.

Indeed, we have a new commandment that Jesus gave.

Love one another, support each work together, lift each other u I've always been intrigued by the word "commandment".

Jesus said, "A new commandment, I give unto you.

A new commandment I put before y not a new option I offer you, but I command you to love and se to be concerned about the development of the talents o Not to say, I want to invite her to the meeting, because she'll take the limeligh and I want that for myself.

We have to work together.

We have a commandment to work to I cannot exclude Him from the g because He's seeking my position We have a commandment to boost e lift each other up, to work toge tackle these critical issues.

You can't stop serving because your little feelings get and you go home.

Right.

[applause] All right.

We have a commandment to love an If we love one another and get along and support each o people will come to Jackson to s They want to know, who are thes who walk together hand-in-hand?

Who are these people who make it that their God is the Lord?

Who are they?

That's a strange thing.

In a city, in a metro area, we'r We're going on 200,000 people in an area that serves almost a half a million people on a daily basis.

Leaders and followers can get to and feel one another's care.

We don't have time to try to do anybody in.

You don't have to fight anybody.

You don't have to betray anybody Your gift will make room for you All right.

[applause] Wait your turn.

Wait for your time.

Now, you know it can be your tur and not your time.

Wait for your time.

[chuckles] Let's acknowledge that we have w [applause] Next, and then we must vote.

Amen.

[applause] Here we are, 34 millio African Americans eligible to vo and yet 12 million did not vote.

That is an embarrassment to God.

We are fighting voter suppressio In 2024, we must still vote even though we're suppressing th having laws to reduce what we ca We still must vote.

No matter what detrimental changes are made to the laws, we still must vote.

Must keep fighting, and don't l the essence of what we must do.

We must go to those polls, we mu and not just in the presidency e although that's very, very impor Let's start at the top and vote.

We must come down that ticket and vote for those state officer One thing that slapped me in the is how much power the state legislature has.

We must vote-- In every position on that ticket, we must vote.

Because our parents voted under extreme circumstances, with hoses and dogs, and water.

No matter what waterin down they do to the legislature, to the voter rights, we must sti because the right to vot is not just a constitutional mat but it's a right that was born of a struggle, born out of sacri It's a calling from the God of j who 2,600 years ag had his prophets say to every na "You must do justice, love merc and walk only before your God."

The least of these must be at the center of public policy.

That's why we must vote.

That's why we serve.

That's why we lead.

We've been through too much, and only that, but we have too much more to fig 20% of African Americans are in 11.4% of African Americans are u One out of every fiv African Americans are uninsured.

One million African Americans are incarcerated.

In fact, African Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of Whites.

Too much violence still exists.

One million people have been ki since Dr. King was assassinated According to the FBI crime repor 90% of Black peopl seven years ago killed each othe 70 people are killed daily in vi Follow the numbers.

We always say, "Follow the money but I'm saying follow the number What does this mean?

It means we must get people to t You must vote.

That's why it's Freedom Fund din is so important.

We must continue to fight for what is right.

The struggle doesn't sto because you have personally adva We are not free till we're all f [applause] We're all climbing and succeeding together.

We fought many battles and God has brought us through.

We've had some bad days.

We've also had some good days.

We've got many good days ahead, because God has a way of turning bad days into good days.

All of our days are not in yet.

God always put a problem in front of a blessing I told my students this.

We ought to know His pattern, that God always put a problem in front of a blessing If you have a problem over here, there's going to be a blessing o Close the door here, open the do Lose a job here, another job the Lose a house here, another house over there.

Repossess a car here, a new car over there.

He always put a problem in front of a blessing Somebody asked me, "Are you having a bad day?"

You can't say you're having a ba because all our days are not in More days to serve, more days to more days to collaborate, more days to work together.

There was a story abou how to be thankful for your days On day one, there was an invali father with Alzheimer's disease who lived alon when he wandered away from home.

On day two, the house was robbed being burned to the ground.

The man was not there.

All of our days are not in yet.

On day one, when I was in middle one of my sister's friends got shot in the leg.

On day two, they wante to draft him to go into the mili He didn't have to g because the leg was no good for All of our days are not in yet.

On day one, the car was stolen.

Day two, insurance policy kicked Got a brand new car.

All of our days are not in yet.

Day one, got laid off from a job Day two, got another job, making more money.

All of our days are not in yet.

Because God has a way of turning bad days into good days.

Anybody her can do some spiritual calculatio and see your good days outweigh your bad days.

Your ups are more than your down Your ins are more than your outs Your highs are more than your lo Your blessings outweigh your bur Your triumphs outweigh your tear Your hopes outweigh despair.

Your faith outweighs your fears.

Mercy outweighs misery.

That's why we serve.

That's why we're here.

That's why we serve.

That's why we're assembling toni We've been blessed by the power We've been blessed with more of everything.

Our parents di more with less than we have toda That's right.

Amen.

With less, they'd be slavery.

With less, they'd be Jim Crow.

With less, they'd be lynching.

With less, they'd be the Ku Klux With less, Harriet Tubman got 1,000 slaves out of slavery.

She didn't have email.

She didn't have Facebook.

She didn't have texting.

She didn't know what Twitter was She had faith in God.

A North Star in the middle of th She did more with less.

Now, we must do more with more.

We must serve at a higher level.

We must prepare more leaders because God has given us more.

Because God has been so good to we owe Him a praise.

[applause] I'm the first to admit that I owe Him a praise.

He took a girl from poverty-stricken Fields Road in South Memphis, and made her the Presiden of Tennessee State University.

I owe Him a praise.

[applause] To the young people who are here don't be discourage because your plans didn't work o Keep on being excellent.

Keep on improving.

It's okay to change your major.

It's okay to take those hard cou It's okay to go to graduate scho to law school, to med school.

Don't be disheartened because God will open the right He will close the wrong doors.

He will go before you, and silence your critics.

If God's put a dream in your hea He will bring it to pass, because God can see things you c He has your destiny in His hands I'll close by sharing with you t about two years after I had been name as President of Tennessee State, somebody came to me at TSU and s "Glenda, your honeymoon is over now at TSU.

They're really going to come after you now.

Don't expect any more positive p They're going to come after you They're still asking me "How you'll be president of TSU They're going to come after you I told them three things.

Number one, I'm tougher than I l [laughter] Tough times don't last, but tough people do.

Yes.

Number two, I'm well awar of fake friends and real enemies Number three, and most important I know the Lord has a calling on One day, I surrender to that ca to do what the Lord has called m what He has anointed me to do.

I promise Him that if it is small, let it be conten If it is big let it be enabled by your power.

That's why I could fight so pro because I was enabled by His pow I'm not worried about the critic I'm not worried about the comptr and the key legislators who came I knew God was the director of m [applause] Whatever they did, whatever weapons they formed, God did not allow them to prospe I'm still going to deal with the [chuckles] I tell you, one morning I got up and I got down on my knees.

I went into my spirit world.

I knew they could not har me when I came out of my closet.

I knew once you know you got the power of God in your life, bring it on.

They can't buy the weapons.

They say they wouldn't form but they definitely won't prospe Somebody may say that's because you continue to r You can't be worried about what they say about you.

Our destiny is not chance.

Our destiny is not chance, our destiny is choice.

I don't proclaim to know the fut No, I don't know what the future I do know who holds the future.

[applause] There you go.

I don't proclaim to know what tomorrow holds.

I do know who holds tomorrow.

The song says, "I don't know about tomorrow.

I just live from day-to-day."

I don't borrow from the sunshin because the skies might turn to With God, things just don't happ Everything with Him is planned.

As I face tomorrow with His problems large and smal I'll trust the God of miracles, and give to Him my all.

I know who holds the future.

I know who holds my hand.

Yes, there are many things abou tomorrow I may not understand.

I don't seem to understand.

I know who holds tomorrow.

I know who holds tomorrow.

I know who holds my hand.

God bless you, NAACP.

God bless each of you.

[applause] Amen.

Come on, we can do better than t Come on, we can do better than t Amen.

You have to [?]

Amen.

We got our Dr. Glenda Baskin Glo PhD, JD, CPA, but they left preacher off.

[laughter] That was all right.

She brought it, didn't she?

We've come now to our awards presentations, and these presentations of our N Freedom Fund Gala is always an annual highlight.

This evening's presentations con in that fashion as the Jackson-M County branch recognize a group of most worthy honorees.

Our first award this evening is It's the Medgar W. Evers Legacy Let me tell you a little bit about the award.

This award is presented to a person who has dedicated time and energy in the areas of government, business, or community service.

They have followe the example of Medgar Evers by b a voice for the voiceless and struggling for the dream of This award honor a person for demonstrating coura and laying the foundation for pr and future leader in the cause of the Civil Rights Our first recipient this evenin is the 12th School Superintenden of Jackson-Madison County system Throughout his tenure, he has o a period of remarkable transform and achievement within the commu He has been instrumental in building a strategic plan that supports new and innovative programs to benefit students, and initiatives that have contr to a record-high graduation rate and an increase in school schola by $22 million for the class of As our recipient- That deserves a hand right there [applause] Yes.

As our recipient concludes his f as Superintenden of Jackson-Madison County School he celebrates his 29th yea in education with 13 years dedic to serving as superintenden across various Tennessee distric In recognitio of his outstanding leadership, Dr. King has been name the 2024 through 2025 Superinten of the Year for the Southwest Region of Tennessee.

[applause] This marks a historic achieveme as he is the first Black superin to receive this prestigious awar [applause] Ladies and gentlemen, this year's recipient of the Medgar W. Evers Legacy Award is Dr. Marlon King.

[applause] The Jo Helen Iman Beard Community Service Award is to an individual, or an organization whose work in civic engagement have mad a significant impact in the comm They have given of themselves, in order to bring abou positive and constructive change This year's recipient has worked tirelessly to make a significant impact in this community since 1964.

From health fairs, to food driv to addressing hunger families, voter registration drives, honoring students, providing scholarships, this org has always been at the forefront significant impact to the Jackson community, fulfilling their mission, which is to transform our commu through service and friendship.

This year's recipient of the Jo Helen Imani Beard Community Service Award is the Jackson, Tennessee chapter of The Links, The Chapter President, Dr. Mechelle Moragne, will accept the award.

Let's give them a bigger hand.

[ They're busy out there.

Our next award is th William D. Smart Race Relations This award was established by David Hollick and named in honor of Reverend William D. Smart.

This award was established, Mr. Smart was the past president of our local branch here, and it is presented to an indivi or an organization who has made significant contributions toward the goals of positive race relations, and race relations harmony in Jackson-Madison County.

This year's recipient has garner the outstanding reputation as a diplomatic leader, a humanitarian and a tireless community service since arriving in Jackson in the late 1960s.

He has made numerous contributio to the growth and development of Jackson-Madison County, and the larger community.

Some of his past and present eff can't read them all, it's three pages long.

He's a member of the Lane College Board of Trustees, member of the Jackson City Counc appointed to th Lane College Board of Trustees, a member of the Jackson City Cou appointed to the Tennessee Board of Education, one of the first three African-Americans to join the Jackson Rotary Club, member of Tennessee State University Alumni Association, Jackson Exchange Club Man of the Year in 2018, Beta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Graduate Brother of the Year President of the Jackson Symphon Treasurer and Charter Membe of 100 Black Men of West Tenness member of St. Paul CME Church where I think he is a trustee th and many more boards and organiz Like I said, it's three-pages long and I got to go home.

It is my distinct honor and pleasure to present the William D. Smart Race Relati to my friend and brother, Dr. Melvin Wright.

[applause] Accepting the award for Dr. Wright is his daughter, Melinda Wright Richardson.

Now, this next award is called the Meritorious Service to the Branch Award.

It is presented annually to a member of the branch, who has rendered outstanding eff and contributions to the organiz Our recipient toda is a fully paid Silver Life memb of the Jackson-Madison County branch of the NAACP.

She currently serves as a member of the branch's executive commit and has served in this capacity for a number of years.

She is a member o the branch's membership committe Ms. Turner has serve the branch as assistant secretar She has volunteered to assis in civic engagement campaigns, including voter registration's d Her volunteer reach also extends to advocacy work of the Tennessee State Conference of NAACP, where she has participated, and attended activities on numerous occasions throughout the years of her sche If her schedule allowed.

She would often say and I think she said this Saturd "I will attend if I can catch a ride with someone going."

As she prepares to ventur into a different chapter in her relocating to be with her family we honor her today for her disti service to the branch.

We will miss her.

Ladies and gentlemen, the recipient of the Meritorious Service to the Branch Award goes to Ms. Corine Turner.

Come on down.

[applause] She is a joy to work with.

All you have to do is call her, and she'll say, "I'll be there if I can catch a The Rising Phoenix Award is awar to a person.

Let me back it up.

This award was inaugurated to h a young adult in our community who has exemplified the highest of service and leadership.

This year's recipient is the epitome of an athlete, an entrepreneur business owner, and influencer.

He was born and raised in Meaden Tennessee, and he attended Southside High School where his father, and four sisters graduat He stood ou as a basketball player while the In his senior year he was a TSAA Mr. Basketball fin Our honoree later attended East Tennessee State Universit on a full athletic scholarship, and receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Tech He went on to receiv his Master's of Engineering degr from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

AJ competed in the 2017 College Slam Dunk Contest, where he was runner-up, and was drafted fifth in the 2017 World Famou Harlem Globetrotters draft class In 2021, after touring 46 states and 7 countries throughout his four-year career with the Globetrotters, he founded AJ Merriweather Construction, LLC, where he is owner and CEO.

This company specializes in conc finishing service and residential renovations.

While running a company AJ still finds time to connect with the community doing what he playing baseball.

Whenever he's available he holds basketball camps for yo of all ages in the Jackson area and beyond.

AJ often mentors and work with youth at the T R White Spor He has donated more than 50 bask to the Boys and Girls Club.

Our Rising Phoenix Awar for 2024 is presented to this, to Mr. A.J.

Merriweather, an extraordinary young man, and [applause] We normally give the Youth Excellence Award to a college student, a college student entering into or-- And a high school senior.

This year, we have two remarkabl Both of them are high schoolers.

They are such wonderful young la Our first one our first Youth Excellence Award is a 2024 graduate of JCM Early High School with a GPA of 3.9.

Cayla, while dual enrolle at Jackson State Community Colle she managed to be very activ at her high school, and in the c She was a cheerleader, co-editor of the yearbook.

She maintained active membershi in the Girl Scouts of America, Beta Club, and National Honor So Cayla is also very active in the community.

She has logged over 200 hours of community service hours through reading at local elementary schools, and fundraising and participatin in St. Jude and Sickle Cell Wal with the top teens of America.

She mentors at-risk students by on the Madison County Teen Court All of this, and she managed to from Jackson State Communit College with her associate's deg This young lady is very active in her church, Walnut Grove Baptist Church, where her parents are Pastor Clarence and Cassandra Williams.

She is active there in the Sunda sings in the choir, involved in social media, and the children's church.

Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher where she can continu to be a role model for children, who look like her, and be a pos contributing member of the commu The recipient of the Youth Excellence Award is Cayla Denise Williams.

[applause] I hope I can announce this, I was just informed by Dr. Glover that she will be r a full scholarship, an honors program at Tennessee State University, y [applause] Woo.

That's remarkable, congratulatio Our next recipient of the Youth Excellence Award is the number one ranked student out of 190 in the senior of Northside High School.

She played-- Y'all could go ther and give them a hand, they need all of the encourageme they can get, that's awesome.

[applause] She played soccer for four year and was team captain this past s She also ran cross country for f and received the Jackson-Madison County Athletic Award.

Our recipient played basketball for the Northside Lady Indians for three years.

She is a membe of the Northside High School Ban where she plays saxophone.

She is the president of the Beta a junior Rotarian and is on the Empowered Teen Cou Our honoree is a member of North National Honor Society, where she serves as a student am and editor of the yearbook.

She has a 3.8 grade point averag you're some smart young'uns.

Her plan is to attend eithe Middle Tennessee State Universit or the University of Tennessee a where she will major in neuroscience social work.

Maybe you can talk her out of th [laughter] Her desire is to become a psycho Our honoree is a member of Hurts Chapel CME Church.

Her parents are Pastor William and Mrs. Angela Cole.

Our Youth Excellence Award recipient number next is Anyia Olivia Cole.

[applause] Yes, you can try to talk her out Let's give all of our recipients a big hand.

[applause] Let's give Ms. Porter a hand.

Great job for her and her team.

[applause] Also, Ms. Sandra Carter over the We have three awards, the Samuel A. McElwee Award.

For those of you who do not know the history of Mr. Samuel McElwee, he was a representative for the state of Tennessee elect first in 1882.

1882 was after the Civil War, after Reconstruction, when you had Black men that could run for office, and during this period of time when the Confederacy soldiers who lived in this area could no these Black folks ran for office and won seats in the state legis In 1882, Samuel McElwee won an election representing Haywood in this general area.

He was born in Madison County, raised in Haywood, was teaching school at 16 years He went before the state legisl and in his fourth or fifth year, they nominated him for Speaker of the House.

He did not win because Andrew Jo who was the Vice President after Lincoln was assassinated, became president.

He allowed the Confederacy to ge their voting rights back, so he couldn't make that.

Most of your Black elected offi were expelled or not allowed to He eventually went on in 1888 to where he spent the rest of his l In honor of Samuel E. McElwee, we have three awards.

One, he needs no introduction, not in the least, and that is Sheriff David Woolfo Madison County.

[applause] Now, that is committed service because he served for a number of years as police officer over in Humboldt.

Of course, he came here to Jackson, Tennessee.

Was an investigator, won I think, four or five times, he the election for Sherif of Madison County, very popular.

We appreciate David's work.

The second person that we have t this award is Madison County Com former Commissioner Clarence Boo Clarence Boone.

[applause] Clarence served this community from the 1887 until about-- 1987.

Did I say 18?

He's that old, trust me.

[laughter] Clarence has been a stalwar in this community for a number o Let's give him a big hand.

[applause] Last but not least you've got Commissioner Claudell Where is he?

Claudell Brown has served in this community.

I think, Claudell, I thin you were first elected in 18 - N [laughs] I think it was 1989.

Was that correct?

Was it '89?

'78.

'78 and Still serving.

[applause] We have some othe presidential awards, I believe.

Do we have some more?

Ms. Sandra Carter will do those.

[applause] [?]

[applause] Okay, all right.

[applause] Good afternoon, ladies and gentl I'm Sandra Carter.

I'm the Co-Chair of the Banquet I would like to announce the rec of the Branch Presidential Award The first one is going to be Reverend Dr. Frank Anderson.

We would like to thank hi for being a pillar in our commun Thank you for the service that he has presented to our com Thank you for everythin that he has done in our communit [applause] Our next recipient is Ms. Monola Patterson.

I'm sorry, Monola Patterson.

[applause] Our next recipient is Mr. Ricky [applause] I think David Carter is going to that for Mr. Ricky Brown.

[applause] It's been a wonderful night.

I had this big old speech over h but I'm not going to do that.

Amen.

[laughter] [applause] -They know I don't talk much.

I'm very shy.

It's been a wonderful night.

I know we had a few bugs but it's been a wonderful night.

Anytime that it's people that we can come together, and celebrate on others particularly, our young people, I mean, it's just been phenomena We celebrated our youth tonight, We need not make this just an annual event.

We need to make it a daily, a weekly event.

A lot of our young people are depending on us to make this a safer place, to make it where they can get a decent education, so they can become who they want Unfortunately, too many times, our children, their talent only go beyond the first grade.

They've got so much talent.

They can do anything.

There's nothing that's ou of their power range, or their v Let's stop suffering.

Let's stop stuffing their viole out before they even get started We need universal preschool.

We need a lot of things that we can give them through the treasures of our city county, and state go and federal government to make this a better place.

Let's fight for our children eve every hour, every minute, every All of these children, they're our children.

They're our children.

We can make the difference.

We can make the difference if we celebrate them every day, and that means making sur that they're out of harm's way.

How do we do that?

We create an environment a space for them to learn wholes We create opportunitie for them to express themselves, to get along with each other, and stop fightin each other over nickels and dime It's insane what's going on, and what we're allowing to happe and I say "we" because we have to vote put people in office that can ma common-sense decisions.

Stop the bigotry.

Stop the racism.

We have got these issues to deal with as adults, because someon didn't take care of them earlier The fight for Civil Rights and c justice continues.

Every one of you in this room has a stake in it.

Whether you vote, don't vote don't care to vote, don't know t we need to come together as a pe and understand the reason why, a we have the power and influence that we need.

All we have to do is just come together as one people.

It's just that simple but we major in minor difficulti As someone once said who taught you to hate yourself?

We're at a crossroads.

This is a pivotal moment in our time and history.

If we don't get it right we can set us back more hundreds Let's get it right.

If you don't vote for yourself, let's vote for the children.

[applause] I want to thank all of our staff [chuckles] Ms. Jennifer Wells, where are yo Ms. Sandra Carter I know you all stayed up at nigh We appreciate you for what you d I know I went rogue a few times, but I'm learning.

Patricia, I'm learning.

Okay, yes.

[laughs] Anyway, it's been real.

[music] I want to thank all of you for your attentiveness and for your dedication toward t We look forward to doin this again next year for our 62n Thank you so much.

[music] It's all about home.

The program you've been watching was made possible through the generous financial s of West Tennessee PBS viewers li Please visit westtnpbs.org, and make a donation today, so that we can continu to make local programs like this Thank you.