The NAACP Columbus, Georgia Branch hosted its 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, drawing a sold-out crowd to the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.
Held under the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” the evening served as a celebration of service and a call to action in support of civil rights and community engagement. The banquet began at 7 p.m. at the convention center, located at 801 Front Ave.
The featured speaker for the evening was Michael Thurmond, who delivered remarks emphasizing the continued need for civic participation, accountability, and unity in addressing present-day challenges…