Join the Freedom Fund Breakfast, Aug. 18

The Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP will hold its annual Freedom Fund Breakfast on Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 9:00 AM—11:00 AM at Arlington Sons of Italy, located at 19 Prentis Road, Arlington, MA 02476.

The theme of this year’s breakfast is “Overcoming Barriers: social, economic, and educational barriers—impediments to gaining equal assets.” We want to celebrate those such as James Meredith who became the first African American student to attend the University of Mississippi and the Little Rock Nine who shattered the barrier in Arkansas by attending a segregated high school. While acknowledging history, we want to shed light on some current barriers plaguing many people within our region.

We will be honoring, local activist Lori Kenschaft with our annual Community Service Award. The award is given the name of our branch’s first President, Wallace H. Kountze. Each year the branch recognizes a person within our jurisdiction of Arlington, Medford, Everett, Winchester and Woburn who exemplifies the quality of character of our first branch President through demonstrated leadership within the community, being a tireless volunteer of one’s time, experience, and education. Lori has been a staunch advocate of criminal justice reform and countering prejudices against Muslims. Lori has been a true champion of social justice within the Arlington community.

Middlesex County District Attorney candidate Donna Patalano will serve as our Keynote speaker. Donna previously served as the Chief of Professional Integrity & Ethics at the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, and is running for DA on a platform of ending mass incarceration, reforming our state bail system, as well as protecting immigrants from being targeted unjustly for deportation.

Reserve a seat at our breakfast by mailing a check for $50 per person to MVA NAACP, P.O. Box 132, Medford, MA 02156 or by contacting Ed Ligon at (617)-680-4571 or Pearl Morrison at (617)-803-3549. Sponsorships for the Freedom Fund Breakfast are available for $250.00 and help underwrite the cost of the event.

To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or learn more information about the event and the Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP, please visit www.mva-naacp.org or email us at info@mva-naacp.org