By: Richard L. Smith
The Hillside Branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is gearing up to celebrate its second anniversary in a grand way with the upcoming 2nd Annual Freedom Fund Awards Gala.
This gala will honor eight outstanding members of the community, including the Honorable Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.
Scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., the Hillside NAACP's 2nd Annual Freedom Fund Awards Gala will take place at Costa Del Sol, located at 2443 Vauxhall Road in Union.
Tickets for this prestigious event are priced at $100 and can be conveniently purchased via Zelle at naacphillsidenj.org.
Mrs. Nicole Graves-Watson, the founder and president of the Hillside Branch of the NAACP, expressed her excitement, stating:
"We are thrilled to recognize eight remarkable individuals within our community and celebrate our second-year anniversary."
The Hillside Branch of the NAACP was recently honored with the Branch Award by the NAACP New Jersey State Conference on October 14, 2023. Graves-Watson remarked, "This is a tremendous honor," in response to this recognition.
Since its chartering on October 16, 2021, the Hillside NAACP has achieved numerous milestones, including implementing a Black History Month Essay Contest for middle school students, providing Book Scholarships for graduating high school seniors, conducting informative workshops on topics such as the NJ Amistad Act, Gun Violence, Redistricting, and Knowing Your Rights for community members, and collaborating with various organizations, including the NJ Bar Foundation, First Baptist Church of Hillside, AAA Northeast, Hillside Public Schools, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, to deliver valuable programs and events to the Hillside community.
Founded in 1908, the NAACP stands as the oldest civil rights organization in the United States.
Its mission is to dismantle racism and drive change in critical areas, such as criminal justice, healthcare, education, climate, and the economy.
For further information about the Hillside NAACP and the 2nd Annual Freedom Fund Awards Gala, please visit naacphillsidenj.org.