The theme of this year's NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner will focus on the upcoming election: "Your Power, Your Decision-VOTE."
The event is a tradition for the Ann Arbor NAACP, which was chartered on February 14, 1949. Then, in 1955, Mayor Edward Pierce proclaimed the first Saturday in November as NAACP Day in Ann Arbor.
This year's dinner takes place Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. This is the event's 27th consecutive year.
"The purpose of this event is to showcase African American Public School student scholars who have maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher during the most recently completed academic year," said WIlliam V. Hampton, president of the Ann Arbor branch of the NAACP.
"Each student attends at no cost, and we also announce our scholarship recipient."
"It's unique in that we recognize successful students and use the proceeds to offer college scholarships," said Susan Baskett, a participant in the dinner.
Guests at the dinner, which takes place at the Sheraton Inn Ann Arbor Hotel, are encouraged to support a Freedom Fund Scholar for $35.
Speakers at the dinner include Frances McMullan, Ypsilanti's City Clerk and Washtenaw County's highest ranking African American appointed election official. She will talk about why the right to vote remains a privilege, the need to complete a ballot, what first time voters need to know, and explain what voter intimidation and voter suppression are.
More than 300 people are expected to attend the dinner. For information on the NAACP, call 734-761-9084.