Education theme at NAACP banquet

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005

The Prince George’s County Branch of the NAACP didn’t miss a beat when Lt. Gov. Michael Steele wasn’t able to attend its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Friday, November 11.

Instead, Kweisi Mfume, who, like Steele, is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maryland, took his chair and presented an award. Mfume is the former president and CEO of the NAACP. He is running as a Democrat.

‘‘Steele was invited to be co-chair, and it [shows] a lack of respect to the organization and the residents if he does not show,” said Robin Williams, the branch’s first vice president. ‘‘He is pictured on the invite and billed as co-chair.”

Steele, a Republican, and some of his allies have been vocal recently in denouncing racial attacks aimed at Steele because of his party affiliation.

NAACP branches throughout the area hold Freedom Fund banquets in the fall. The Prince George’s County chapter has named theirs the Annual Hester V. King Freedom Fund Banquet in honor of a founder and former president. The event was held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt.

The keynote speaker was Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who said that when it comes to education, residents of Prince George’s County are in the ‘‘best and most challenging situation” as some of the most privileged African-Americans.

Hrabowski told the audience about his family members’ struggles for education and reminded them that they must share similar kinds of stories with their children.

He urged parents to take a positive approach to education, focusing on what can be done and avoiding blame.

He admonished listeners to instill a love and appreciation for learning in children and asked, ‘‘Do black children feel good about being smart in Prince George’s County?”

The chapter presented several awards, including the Armed Affairs and Services Veteran Award to state Del. Anthony G. Brown (D-25th), the majority whip.

‘‘I’ve always believed in the NAACP from childhood to the time I led the organization,” Mfume said, after presenting Brown with the award. ‘‘Its role and mission are vital to the nation and the work done in Prince George’s County is phenomenal.”