Sunday, November 3, 2013 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm Park Hill Golf Course | 4141 E. 35th Avenue, Denver, CO 80207 NAACP-Denver Branch Freedom Fund Luncheon | 1
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November 3, 2013 Greetings,
Welcome to the NAACP Denver Branch’s Freedom Fund Luncheon. We are united this afternoon to recognize the importance and continued struggle of civil rights in our community and our nation.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established in 1909 and is the oldest and largest civil rights organization. The NAACP’s mission is to ensure the economic, educational, political and social equality and rights of all people as well as eliminate racial discrimination. Today we gather in unity for this Freedom Fund Luncheon and break bread with new members, existing members, potential members, businesses, community organizations as well as the general public. This luncheon allows us to continue the dream of those who have gone before us as well as recognizing those whose shoulders we stand on.
The theme of today’s luncheon is “Protecting Our Future” and we welcome our speaker Attorney Daryl Parks. Attorney Parks is the managing partner of Parks and Crump, LLC of Tallahassee, Florida which is the law firm that represents Sabrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin. This afternoon, we extend our sincerest gratitude to our generous sponsors and donors whose contributions made today’s Freedom Fund Luncheon possible. Everyone present at today’s luncheon plays a role in advancing civil rights—here in Denver, Colorado. We thank everyone for supporting the Denver Branch of the NAACP as we strive to eliminate discrimination and achieve equality and justice for all in the Denver metropolitan area. I am particularly grateful for the work of the Freedom Fund Luncheon Committee for their vision in making the unimaginable possible as well as the hard work of each and every member of the Denver Branch’s Executive Committee. Thank you for your attendance and enjoy this enlightening and thought-provoking luncheon. Sincerely,
Rita R. Lewis, Esq. President
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Daryl D. Parks is co-founder and managing partner of the law firm of Parks & Crump, L.L.C., located in Tallahassee, Florida. On August 3, 2011, Mr. Parks was sworn-in as the 69th President of the National Bar Association (“NBA”). In 2008, Florida Trend Magazine named Parks one of the “top 50 Floridians that will change the world.” Daryl Parks takes a global perspective to all he does, from activism to philanthropy to business and the law. To that avail, President Parks plans to lend his skills, talent and time to expand its horizons and lead the National Bar Association to the next level. President Parks has participated in numerous NBA international meetings, most recently, in Past President Demetrius Shelton’s stead, leading a delegation to China. A Life Member of the NBA and accustomed to national leadership positions, President Parks has held various positions within the organization over the past sixteen years including: General Counsel, VicePresident of Finance, Regional Director of Region XI, and President of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the NBA. President Parks’ commitment and dedication was recognized by his receipt of Presidential Awards in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
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A talented trial attorney, the American Association for Justice appointed President Parks to serve as its Minority Caucus Chair and on the Board of Governors. He has also held numerous leadership positions with the Florida Justice Association, including serving on the Board of Directors and serving as Diversity Committee Chairman, Vanguard Fundraising Committee Chairman, and Women & Minority Task Force Vice-Chairman. He is also a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and the Million-Dollar Advocacy Forum. An active member of the Florida Bar, President Parks served on the board of the Florida Bar Foundation and on the Florida Bar Admissions Committee. Most recently, Senator Bill Nelson appointed President Parks to the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Northern District of Florida, and Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court of Appeals for Florida. President Parks served his alma mater as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), as a board member of the FAMU Foundation, Inc., and as Chairman of the FAMU Boosters. He remains actively involved in his community and serves on the board for the Tallahassee Urban League, is Chairman of the board for the Leon County Sickle Cell Foundation, and on Bethel AME’s Community Development Corporation. A Haines City, Florida native, Daryl D. Parks attended FAMU on a Presidential Scholarship. While a student, President Parks was the first Student Body President elected to two consecutive terms and founded the National Coalition of Black College Student Governments. In 1992, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity selected Parks as National College Brother of the Year, and he graduated from FAMU with his Bachelor degree in political science and economics. Parks received his Juris Doctorate from Florida State University in 1995, and founded Parks & Crump, L.L.C. in 1996 with partner, Benjamin L. Crump. His firm Parks & Crump focuses on wrongful death, medical malpractice, products liability and pharmaceutical litigation, personal injury, and civil rights cases. President Parks is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida, the Federal Courts for the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and the United States Supreme Court. He has also appeared for special purposes in Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and New Jersey. 4 | “Protecting Our Future”
National Black Anthem Written by Weldon Johnson
brother jeff Rev. Ronald Wooding Madame President Rita R. Lewis, Esq. Don Bufford
Master of Ceremony Invocation Welcome NAACP History National Black Anthem
Madame President Rita R. Lewis Daryl D. Parks, Esq. Sondra Young, Angela Williams Rhonda Fields Owetta McNeil Alesia Jackson
Introduction of Speaker Keynote Speaker Acknowledgments
Door Prizes
Benediction
Lift ev’ry voice and sing, Till 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 sea. 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 till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast’ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee, Shadowed beneath thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.
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The mission of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
2013 Highlights • Hosted the NAACP State Conference • Denver Branch received Proclamation from Denver City Council recognizing the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation • Participated in I-News “Losing Ground” report • Attended Colo. Attorney General’s Foreclosure Relief Luncheon
• Supported the State Conference Education Forum featuring Teach for America and Denver Public Schools • Membership Cook-out at Fred Thomas Park which included participating vendors: TCF Bank, Julia Greeley Academy, University of Northern Colorado - Teacher Program, Doterra Oils, LegalShield, Progressive Colorado, GreatEducation, BBS Cafe (Gourmet Coffee/Teas) • Sold last “This Is My Vote” T-shirt which shows opposition to voter suppression laws
• Marched in annual Martin Luther King Jr. Marade • Participated in Center for African-American Health Walk • Co-sponsored forum along with the Urban League and Colorado Black Roundtable(CBRT) a Black History Month Community Education Forum on “40 Years After Keyes: The Segregation and Desegregation of Denver Public Schools” • Spoke out against police brutality of officers who were not fired after beating Alex Landau and challenged racially altered faces on political mailers • Presented U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Judge Adam Floyd as a speaker at the General Community Meeting • Membership Drive Booth at Five Points Jazz Festival
• Sponsored “King: A Filmed Record” commemorating the 50th Anniversaty of the March on Washington • Presented the Denver Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) and the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) as speakers for the General Membership Community Meeting • Presented “The Black Church & HIV” featuring Rev. Keron Sadler from NAACP National Office - Health Dept. • Participated on “Losing Ground” Summit Civil Rights Panel and assisted in presenting Civil Rights Pioneer Awards at the Summit
• Met with Mayor Hancock and staff regarding community concerns • Presented Colorado’s Emerging Energy Industries: Khadija Haynes as a speaker at the General Community Meeting • Membership Drive Booth at Juneteenth Music Festival • Met with Warren Village counselors • Participated on panel discussion regarding Cross-Cultural Conversation for Social Justice
• Met with Denver Public Schools (DPS) to discuss lack of African-American teachers, achievement gap and disparity in discipline • Co-sponsored Education Forum sponsored by GreatEducation, NAACP Denver Branch and Sims Fayola International Academy featuring Amendment 66 discussion and District 4 and At-Large School Board Candidates
• Attended Wells Fargo luncheon
• Attended Black Contractors meeting regarding the lack of African-American participation on City and State construction projects
• Madame President Lewis represented the Denver Branch at the NAACP National Convention in Florida
• Co-sponsored workshop to encourage African-Americans to apply for positions on State Boards and Commissionst
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Julia Greeley Ac STEM K-5th Independent 3605 MLK Blvd. Denv Located on the Clayton Earl www.JuliaGreeleyA
NAACP-Denver Executive Committee President – Rita R. Lewis, Esq. 1st Vice President – Sondra Young 2nd Vice President – Marc Steward
“The Mission of Julia Greeley Academy is to provide a safe, secure, Christ-cen
Julia Greeley Academy academic excellence and Christian values. Partnering with parents to nurture f STEM K-5th Independent Christian School and education of each child in spirit, mind and body”. 3605 MLK Blvd. Denver, CO 80205 Located on the Clayton Early Learning Campus -Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program www.JuliaGreeleyAcademy.org -15 to 1 Student / Faculty ratio
3rd Vice President – Don Bufford
-1:1 ratio with the Mac iPads. Every student and staff member use their Mac i
Secretary – Tonia Thompson
-Weekly enrichment classes, Spanish, Music, Art, Technology, P.E., & Religiou
Assistant Secretary – Stacey Copeland Treasurer – Portia Malone
to explore the new possibilities that the Mac iPad can bring to our students edu
-After School Enrichment Programs including Robotics, Karate, Keyboard & D -After School Tutoring -ACE Scholarship Partnership -Before & After School Care.
Community Liason - Owetta McNeil Membership Chair – Alesia Jackson Health Chair – Tracey Jones-Holmes Economic Development Chair – Don Bufford Legal Redress Chair – Deangelo Starnes Criminal Justice Chair – James Darnell Religious Affairs Chair – Rev. Ronald Wooding Political Action Chair – Marc Streward Education Chair – Open Veteran Affairs – Cleo Smith At-Large Executive Committee Member - Jerome Page
General Membership Meetings Meetings are held monthly on the 4th Saturday of each month. Currently located at the District 2 Police Station on 3921 Holly Street from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
“The Mission of Julia Greeley Academy is to provide a safe, secure, Christ-centered learning environment, rich in academic excellence and Christian values. Partnering with parents to nurture future leaders through the formation and education of each child in spirit, mind and body”. • Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program • 15 to 1 Student / Faculty ratio • 1:1 ratio with the Mac iPads. Every student and staff member use their Mac iPad in the classroom! We are thrilled to explore the new possibilities that the Mac iPad can bring to our students education • Weekly enrichment classes, Spanish, Music, Art, Technology, P.E., & Religious Education • After School Enrichment Programs including Robotics, Karate, Keyboard & Drum Lessons • After School Tutoring • ACE Scholarship Partnership -Before & After School Care.
Contact our Office 720.210.9889 info@naacpdenver.org www.NAACPDenver.org
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The Denver Metro Fair Housing Center (DMFHC) is the voice of fair housing in Metro Denver. DMFHC works to eliminate housing discrimination and to promote housing choice for all people through education, advocacy and enforcement of fair housing law. 3401 Quebec St., Ste 6009 | Denver, CO 80207 ph: 720-279-4291 | email: DMFHC@dmfhc.org
www.dmfhc.org
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www.nabvetscolorado.org Franklin db Jackson, Ph.D Commander Region II Colorado State Command Council is about Creating a Positive Lifestyle for ALL Veterans. 6500 Stapleton Dr S; Bldg H Denver, Colorado 80216 P: 303 482 0654 F: 303 361 1616 FdbJ@aol.com NAACP-Denver Branch Freedom Fund Luncheon | 13
Veronica Barela President/CEO NEWSED C.D.C. 901 W 10th Ave., 2A Denver, CO 80204 Wk: 303 534 8342 x 102 cell: 720 320 3174 fax: 303 534 7418 vbarela@newsed.org
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