By Norman Williams | Special to The OBSERVER
Celebrating its 42nd Annual Prayer breakfast, the Sacramento chapter of the NAACP gathered on Good Friday to recognize and honor the community work of outstanding local leaders, and continue building on the spiritual force behind many of its success stories.
Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, the event featured a range of speakers drawing on their own experiences to deliver messages of empowerment to a gathering of more than 150 attendees. Groups represented included politicians, clergy, business owners, law enforcement leadership, youth groups, and more.
A theme addressed by a number of speakers was the growing impact of spirituality in helping bring about change. Dr. Luke Wood, President of California State University, Sacramento, and one of the event’s honorees, spoke about being a strong advocate of combining spirituality with political tools.
“Over the last decade we’ve seen movements centering less on politics, and more moving back to an MLK approach, using the spirit,” said Wood, evoking the leadership of Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., after being awarded the local chapter’s Trailblazer Award. “I firmly believe that having as many of these (spiritual) events as possible will bring us together – where we’re not just talking about property and race. There’s not just a battle on the physical realm, but also the spiritual realm.”
The local chapter’s Acting President, Ardell La’Mond Harrison, also was recognized for his leadership, having risen through the ranks of the organization during his nine years with the local chapter. He says he sees more progress resulting from partnering and developing relationships with a wide spectrum of organizations and individuals.
“I personally feel it’s about coming together and developing relationships with different organizations and entities, which helps with the ability to be heard,” La’Mond Harrison said. He added that engaging the youth is crucial to their success and the local chapter is making progress.
“It’s also about technology, and we’ve stepped up with our social media and the e-magazine to help us further communications with teens,” he said.
The event showcased that growing technological emphasis with its Youth and Young Adult Community Advocacy Award, which went to Sacramento native Alana I. Smith. An activist and filmmaker, she is currently Executive Vice President for the Cathy Hughes School of Communications Council at Howard University.
Other honorees included:
Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr., Senior Pastor of Genesis Church in South Sacramento, who was awarded the Faith Based Community Leader Award;
Dr. Luke Wood was awarded the Trailblazer Award. Dr. Wood is the youngest person to lead CSU Sacramento, and the youngest permanent president of a public four-year college or university.
Betty Williams of Sacramento was awarded the “Big Dog” Award, which in part signifies high achievement and successful leadership that deserves recognition. Williams is President of the Greater Sacramento NAACP and a business owner.
Keynote speakers included the Reverend Dr. Efrem Smith, co-lead pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church, a multi-ethnic church in Minneapolis, MN., and the Reverend Dr. Samuel Gordon, Chairman for the Juvenile Justice Chaplaincy Program in Sacramento.