Allegany NAACP Voice of Freedom Awards, 2022

Allegany NAACP Voice of Freedom Awards

Posted below is an excerpt from the Allegany County NAACP Branch 7007 website. It describes the 2nd Annual Voice of Freedom Awards event that was held on February 26, 2022 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club in Cumberland, Maryland. An article in the local newspaper stated that in addition to those identified below, others in the community recognized for their contributions included Pastor Lisa Boone, Jo-Jacqueline Cooper, Leticia Shelton, David Smith, and Tausha Smith. The newspaper also included this quote from the Allegany County NAACP 7007 president, Tifani Fisher:

“After 97 years, the Ali Ghan Shrine Club has its first black first lady. A little over 50 years ago in 1972, busses of black people met at the AME Church to protest at the Shrine Club against social injustice. Tonight, two of those young men who were at that protest received awards with the Mayor of Cumberland and the leaders of the Shrine Club watching in a grand ballroom full of black and brown people. Tonight, we told our history and celebrated our story and created a legacy.”

From the Allegany County NAACP website:

“The Allegany County NAACP 7007 would like to thank all that joined us last night for our 2nd Annual Voice of Freedom Awards. Last night, we were not only able to celebrate our history but we made history along with the Ali Ghan Shrine Club Potentate Mark Lathrop and his wife, the first black, 1st Lady Sonya Cooper-Lathrop in 97 years. The members, honorees and local community members enjoyed a night full of excitement. In a room filled with Black excellence you could hear Our history and Our story being told over dinner. The room filled with joy as Our legacy was beginning to grow.

We would like to acknowledge our winners.

Ms. Kecia Colbert for all her years of hard work as an educator in our community.

Mr. Larry Banks for his dedication to fair housing, employment and the church basketball leagues.

Mr. John and his wife, Sukh Gates, President of Jane Gates House for their work to preserve and tell the story of Jane Gates.

Souls Won Outreach Cathedral (Bishop Kenny Watkins and his wife Co-Pastor Shannon Watkins) for years of dedication and spiritual leadership in the community.

The evening included a powerful speech and charge to the community from Dr. Rodney Williams. Dr. Williams was awarded for his over 20 years of dedicating his life to providing healthcare to our children.

The guest cheered as the winner of this year's overall Voice of Freedom award was announced, Mr. Frankie Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton, a military veteran, was recognized for his work in the past 18 years keeping the legacy of Fulton Myers Community Cookout alive. This community cookout is where Black families and all community members are welcome to come and spend the day together. The event always includes free school supplies for kids, music, free food and tons of entertainment. Mr. Hamilton and his team put on this event with money from their own pockets and donations from the community. The tradition of this labor day celebration was started by the Fulton Myers American Legion Post. After the charter building closed, Mr. Hamilton and community members understood the need for the tradition to continue in the community.

The branch would like to thank all that attended and donated to this historical occasion and we are excited to see this tradition continue for years to come. Special thanks to our sister branches from Washington County and Garrett County for joining us last evening. We would like to acknowledge the Brownsville Project and the Bethel AME Project for their presentations. Thank you to all the other community leaders that attended.”


Notes:
Photograph by Shane Riggs and from the February 28, 2022 edition of the Cumberland Times-News. Depicted in the photograph are John Gates, Sukh Gates and Tifani Fisher, President of Allegany County NAACP Branch 7007