The Gloucester Branch of the NAACP heard from a pair of speakers during its annual Freedom Fund Banquet and Awards, held on Saturday at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester.
The organization also honored several families and individuals, including the family of Freedom B. Goode, Gloucester’s first black Extension agent, who was also noted for his Civil Rights-era photography.
Del. Joshua Cole of Virginia’s 65th District, which covers the city of Fredericksburg and parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, was the evening’s first speaker, calling on those present to seek the wisdom of older generations while also embracing the energy of the younger generation.
“We thrive when the wisdom of the elders is met with the energy of youth,” he said.
He assured those gathered that, in spite of threats to public education, “here in Virginia, our ancestors fought to ensure that the protection of the right for public education is enshrined in the Virginia Constitution,” and he encouraged the elde...