NAACP to host its 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet

The Columbus, Georgia Branch of the NAACP will host its 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue.

This year’s theme, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” underscores the NAACP’s ongoing call for action, voter engagement, and community empowerment at a time when civil rights, equality, and justice continue to shape local and national dialogue.

The keynote speaker will be The Honorable Michael Thurmond, gubernatorial candidate, author, and former CEO of DeKalb County. Thurmond is widely recognized for his decades of leadership in government, education, and workforce development, and for his longstanding commitment to expanding equity and opportunity for underserved communities across Georgia.

Individual tickets and reserved tables are available for purchase at Friendship Baptist Church, located at 831 6th Avenue in Columbus. Organizers encourage early purchases for one of the city’s signature events supporting the NAACP’s mission and year-round advocacy efforts.

For ticket information, call 571-699-4123 or 706-604-9425.

The Columbus Branch of the NAACP invites members, supporters, and residents throughout the region to participate in an evening of fellowship, reflection, and renewed commitment to justice at the 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet.