The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) celebrated 100 years of existence on Feb. 28th at the Doubletree Hotel. The event brought out contributors of the community.

Among those to attend the banquet were Mayor Harvey Hall, Senator Dean Florez, and Congressman Mike Rubio, whom all gave approximately two-minute speeches expressing their support for the NAACP.

“It is certainly an honor and a privilege to be here tonight,” Mayor Hall said in the beginning of his speech. He talked about how great the NAACP has been for the community and how he enjoys being a member. He concluded by saying, “The NAACP will continue to do wonderful things with outstanding people working together to overcome our city’s challenges.”

The event was not only a celebration, but it was also a fundraiser. The Freedom Fundraiser Banquet raised funds for the NAACP Bakersfield branch so that they can operate. This covers expenses and also gave out scholarships by having a raffle during the night. Bernard Anthony, president of the NAACP Bakersfield branch says that, “our local NAACP division is growing.”

Dinner and even birthday cake was served toward the middle of the night and the entertainment throughout the night was provided by musicians Darren Gholston and Donald Factory. Several honorees, including reverends and ministers, were awarded in respectable categories such as medicine, education, ministry, county, community service and entrepreneurship. The Mistress of Ceremonies, Bernita Jenkins, had this to say to all of the honorees: “Teach the young people how to work.”

During the celebration, Horace Mitchell, President of Cal State University of Bakersfield, made an announcement of his own. As of this year in June, during the commencement ceremony, CSUB “will be giving out a new doctorate award in honor of the late Dr. and Rev. Tyree Tolliver,” who was active in the NAACP for decades.

The night ended with a video presentation on the history of the NAACP and African American progress by high school student David Little. The NAACP strives to assist the community in job/equal opportunity, gang violence, education, discrimination and many other legal matters.