News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP Branch hosts its annual Freedom Fund Awards Banquet Saturday.
President Tom Savage said this year’s theme is called “All In,” referring to their dedication to fighting racism and promoting voter education. Savage said they will be honoring Executive Board Member Henrietta Lusk, Second Vice President Walter Buck, and Veterans Service Officer Michael Glass.
“We want to show people in our community and in the Upper Cumberland folks who are boots on the ground and doing great things for our community,” Savage said. “So it’s a time to be proud of what we do and to also show that we do things outside of what our wheelhouse is.”
Savage said NAACP Executive Procurement Officer Ray Curry will be the keynote speaker for the event. Savage said they will discuss topics including Project 2025, the importance of voting, and the candidates in the upcoming election.
“We got an all-star cast at our Freedom Fund Banquet and I think people in our community will be excited,” Savage said. “We have the most diverse NAACP branch in the whole state of Tennessee. We have what I call a rainbow coalition.”
Savage said Glass is receiving the Humanitarian Award for his work helping Black veterans make the most of their benefits through the PACT Act.
“This is something that he did not have to do,” Savage said. “He reached out to the black community. He said, ‘Hey, people of this community, let me tell you about the PACT Act. I know that there’s many veterans who are suffering from different illnesses. The PACT Act is going to address those illnesses and you’re going to be able to get some disability and with that disability you’re going to be able to have maybe hearing and they have a facility here that you can go to and see a doctor.’ This guy went out of his way to do that and I’m excited about honoring him.”
Savage said Lusk is being honored with the Upper Cumberland Achievement Award for her extensive work in the Warren County community.
“She’s one of the leaders in Warren County that also addresses social justice and voter registration and racism,” Savage said. “But at the same time she has helped the people in Warren County in many different other ways. You have the historical Black museum over there, she plays a role in that. She participates in Juneteenth. And I mean the woman is an all-star.”
Savage said Buck will get an award for his work with Glass honoring the graves of Black veterans in the area.
“We were able, through his efforts, to go back and get and honor those veterans who were in Jim Crow and to say, ‘Hey, we appreciate your service,'” Savage said.
Savage said anyone interested in attending the banquet can purchase a ticket from their branch’s website.
