The Bethlehem NAACP’s 75th annual Freedom Fund Banquet will be held at Chique Catering at the Saucon Valley Meadows, 1770 Meadows Drive, Hellertown, March 15.

The 75th anniversary theme is “Keep Your Eye on the Prize… Hold On.”

The keynote speaker for this special occasion will be Representative Jordan Harris, the Democratic whip in the state house fo representatives.

The whip is the second highest ranking position in leadership, behind only the caucus leader, and Harris is only the second African American to hold the position of whip for the Democratic Caucus and the youngest member of leadership in either the House or the Senate. Harris previously served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.

With Republican co-sponsor Sheryl Delozier, Harris helped author Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate Law, hailed as a national model for the automatic sealing of certain criminal records, and continues to champion criminal justice reform.

Local NAACP President Esther Lee said in a statement, “Injustice throughout America and local communities reigns high. The face of our nation has changed since the 2016 election. The country seems to be in racial reverse being promoted by adversity, hate, discord and racism, all of which permeate our communities.

“The NAACP is pleased to honor Bethlehem NAACP Membership Chairman Wayman Williams III, and Director of Administration Maboobeh Shekari. The missions of our organizations reflect similarities as we continue to define the causes of injustice locally. We are continually reminded of homelessness, hate and race issues in our communities. In our 75th year, I am reminded of the many African-American men and women who led the various African American organizations in Bethlehem: Mr. Booker Francis, Mr. Eddie Prime, Mr. William Calloway, Mrs. Olivia Clark, Mrs. Audrey Blue, Mrs. Lillian Taylor, Mr. William Walton, and Rev. R. Wakefield Roberts.”