The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Pine Bluff Branch, is seeking 2017 Nominations for the NAACP Awards.
Awards will be presented during the 26th annual Dove Freedom Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The keynote speaker will be Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, Indiana.
The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, Sept. 20. The NAACP Awards committee is accepting nominations for the following award categories:
The Pine Bluff Branch Member of the Year — Criteria includes having actively participated in Voter Empowerment efforts of the Branch.
The Dove Civil Rights Award — Criteria includes having worked to improve the political, educational, social and economic status of minority groups.
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The Rev. H. O. Gray Community Service Award — Criteria includes having volunteered time and/or services without compensation to the Pine Bluff Community.
The Youth of the Year Award — Criteria includes someone who attends monthly meetings on a regular basis and participates in planning and discussion of youth activities.
The Education Award — to be given for meritorious contributions in education, including contributions by school administrators, teachers, staff, students or other community members who have enhanced the quality of education in the community.
The Religious Award — to be given for meritorious contributions in the community, specifically in the area of religion; contributions by church organization, clergy and non-clergy individuals.
The deadline is Sept. 20. Nomination forms and award criteria are available by calling Piccola Washington 870-543-9978 or Tina Owens 870-692-3099. Ivan Whitfield is president of the Pine Bluff NAACP branch.