Sunday Conversation with Melvin Tanner, Jr., President of the Columbus Branch NAACP

Ahead of their 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet we sat down with Melvin Tanner, Jr. to talk about the Columbus Branch NAACP

Q: This year marks the 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet—a significant milestone. What does this anniversary represent for the Columbus Branch of the NAACP and the community you serve?

Tanner: Fifty-one years represents more than longevity—it represents persistence, faith, and unfinished work. The Freedom Fund Banquet has been a sacred space for reflection, accountability, and recommitment. It reminds us that progress in Columbus has never been accidental; it has always come through organized people, strategic action, and collective courage. This milestone honors those who paved the way and challenges us to keep pushing forward.

Q: The theme for this year’s banquet is “The Fierce Urgency of Now.” Why was this theme chosen, and how does it speak to the moment we are in—locally and nationally—as we approach 2026?

Tanner: We chose this theme because delay is no longer an option. Whether we’re talking about voting rights, educational equity, economic access, or criminal justice reform, the consequences of inaction are real and immediate. Dr. King warned us decades ago about the danger of waiting for a “more convenient season.” In 2026, the urgency is fierce because the stakes are high—for our democracy, our children, and our future.

Q: How does the Freedom Fund Banquet support the mission and ongoing work of the Columbus Branch NAACP?

Tanner: The banquet is both symbolic and practical. It raises critical resources that allow us to sustain advocacy, legal support, voter engagement, youth programs, and community education. But just as important, it brings people together—across generations, faiths, and backgrounds—to renew our shared commitment to justice and equity.

Q: This year’s keynote speaker is the Honorable Michael Thurmond. Why was he the right choice for this year’s banquet?

Tanner: Michael Thurmond understands the intersection of policy, history, and people. He has spent his life confronting structural inequities with both moral clarity and practical solutions. At a time when communities are seeking both truth and direction, his voice brings wisdom, experience, and urgency. We believe attendees will leave challenged—but also inspired.

Q: Will there be special recognitions or moments during the program attendees should look forward to?

Tanner: Yes. We will honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to civil rights, service, and community leadership. These recognitions are important because they lift up examples of what courageous, consistent action looks like right here in Columbus.

Q: What are the most pressing civil rights issues currently facing Columbus, Georgia, and how is the local NAACP responding?

Tanner: We continue to focus on voting access, fair policing, educational equity, and economic opportunity. The Columbus Branch is engaged through advocacy, monitoring public policy, community forums, youth engagement, and coalition-building. Our role is to both challenge systems and empower people.

Q: Concerns around policing, education, and economic equity have been ongoing. Which of these remain top priorities as we move into 2026?

Tanner: All of them—because they are deeply connected. You cannot talk about public safety without talking about opportunity. You cannot talk about education without talking about equity. Our approach is holistic because our community’s needs are interconnected.

Q: How do you see the role of the NAACP evolving in a city that is changing politically, demographically, and economically?

Tanner: The NAACP must remain both rooted and responsive—grounded in our mission, yet adaptive to change. That means listening more, engaging younger voices, using data and technology effectively, and remaining unapologetically committed to justice in every space we occupy.

Q: For those who may not yet be active members, why is now the right time to get involved with the NAACP?

Tanner: Because silence is not neutral. Because democracy requires participation. And because the challenges we face cannot be solved by a few voices alone. Now is the time because the work demands all of us—our ideas, our energy, and our commitment.

Q: What initiatives or programs can the community expect from the Columbus Branch in the year ahead?

Tanner: We are expanding voter education efforts, strengthening youth leadership development, increasing community forums, and deepening partnerships across sectors. Our focus is sustainability—ensuring this work continues beyond any single moment or event.

Q: How critical are partnerships with churches, schools, civic organizations, and youth groups to advancing the NAACP’s mission?

Tanner: They are essential. The civil rights movement has always been powered by partnerships. When institutions work together, we multiply impact and ensure that no one is left standing alone.

Q: The Freedom Fund Banquet is both a fundraiser and a rallying moment. What do you want attendees to carry with them when they leave the Convention and Trade Center on January 9?

Tanner: A renewed sense of responsibility. Hope, yes—but also resolve. We want people to leave knowing that the work continues the next morning, in their neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, and homes.

Q: Beyond attending events, how can businesses, civic leaders, and everyday citizens support the NAACP’s work year-round?

Tanner: Stay engaged. Support policy initiatives. Partner with us. Speak up when it’s uncomfortable. And invest—not just financially, but relationally—in the future of this community.

Q: Finally, as you look ahead, what does success look like for the Columbus Branch NAACP over the next decade?

Tanner: Success looks like systems that work fairly for everyone. It looks like informed voters, protected rights, empowered youth, and leadership that reflects the full diversity of our community. And it looks like a Columbus where justice is not an aspiration—but a lived reality.

The 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Tickets are available by calling