2024 Fight for Freedom Fund Luncheon

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – “This is not just an event-celebration, but a call to action, one against injustice and a fight for equality that is not done, continues each day,” Barrington Randall Atkins, President of the NAACP Northern Dutchess Branch emphasized. “We matter, and when one of us is oppressed, we are all oppressed.”

Atkins, welcoming in a large group of attendees at Saturday’s 2024 Fight for Freedom Fund Luncheon, inside of the Doubletree by Hilton in the City of Poughkeepsie, went on to elaborate upon the integral vision guiding the 115 year old NAACP organization’s fight, ensuring civil and human rights, void of discrimination, while fighting for precious freedom for all people. He then went on to cite the symbolic attributes each of the event’s honorees possessed, ones that resonated with the mission of the NAACP.

“Today, we celebrate and honor the trailblazers who have stood for equality, given us hope in time of despair, and hope for a reality we can all achieve together,” said Atkins about those being honored at this year’s Luncheon, making transformative contributions to civil rights, social justice and strengthening their communities.

One of those outstanding individuals recognized was Karmen Smallwood, accepting the Judge Jane Bolin Justice Award. The Dutchess County’s Assistant Commissioner for Youth Services. Leading the Path to Promise Initiative as well as involved in addressing violence in schools through the Youth and Police Initiative, Smallwood has been in the non-profit sector for over 15 years.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Smallwood. “This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for youth and marginalized individuals in our community.”
Another recipient, fighting for youth, 28 year old Jordan Schinella, earned the Trailblazer Freedom Award. A hardworking community leader, Schinella, who has worked at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie as a child care worker and now Independent Skills Care Manager, is “led by justice, compassion and meaningful change.”

Also working with our youth- for five decades- with the City of Poughkeepsie School District, another Luncheon honoree this year, Anna Wilson, has been dedicated to guiding young people- along with their families- and helping ensure their brighter tomorrows.

“It was a pleasure and an honor to receive the Mary McLeod Bethune Educational Leadership Award,” said Wilson. “I pray you all make a difference in our youth’s mental and emotional health.”

Other community icons recognized were Annette B. Quarles (John J. Johnson Corporate Business Award), a 26 yr IBM employee, who has been involved with a variety of leadership and management roles, while carrying a strong commitment to civil duty; Josayne M. Anderson-Tejera (Millenial Leadership Award) an Equal Opportunity and Inclusion Officer for Dutchess County Government who spent seven years working for the New York State Department of Corrections as a Community Supervisor; Elder Herman Shannon (Reverend Fred Shuttleworth Religious Engagement Award), who has been ministering for 41 years and a six year veteran of the United States Armed Forces, and the Sugar Hill Gang (Lifetime in Music Award) “believed by many to be the first professional Hip Hop group because they introduced to the masses this unprecedented genre of music.”

The three hour Luncheon, which also included; musical entertainment, a trivia segment on an assortment of NAACP-related topics as well as plenty of socializing and networking, featured a special commemoration, paying tribute to the legacy of Lula Mae-Parker Harris with the Civic Engagement Award. And, the undercurrent of it all was on the unwavering dedication of as well as integral role of the NAACP in the community.

“We as a community should support our local NAACP,” said Wilson. “We should assist in helping it grow in any way we can.”