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Evans stepping down from local NAACP leadership post

Published 5/15/0

By Nyerere Davidson
Outlook Staff Writer

After more than 14 years as president of the Tallahassee chapter of the NAACP, Dr. Charles Evans announced his resignation from his leadership position during last Thursday’s NAACP's 30th Annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet.

The news came as a shock to many as Evans spoke of his journey with the Civil Rights organization — recalling his protests during Springtime Tallahassee and participating in the March on Washington in 1963.

“I’m just stepping down as president — I will still be a member,” Evans assured the crowd.

With tables dressed in blue and yellow decor and sounds of smooth jazz music in the air, many Tallahassee-area community activists, business owners and guests filled the Leon County Civic Center banquet hall during the May 8 event.

Sponsored by the Tallahassee State Bank, Parks and Crump, LLC. and the Tallahassee Fire Department, the banquet serves as an opportunity to honor individuals for their community service and outreach.

The annual event also serves as a chance to shed light on those that "go above and beyond their jobs in the community," Evans said. "This event is just a token of our appreciation to those that are advocates of civil rights," Evans said. "We honor five every year and this is a way to ensure that the community knows who these people are."

For Tallahassee City Manager Anita Favors-Thompson, the recognition from the NAACP came as a total surprise.

"I was just finding out that I was honored when I was walking in the door," she laughed. "It is a very distinct privilege for me to be honored by the NAACP," said Favors-Thomspon, who has been an active member of the Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP for 18 years.

"The NAACP and the awards banquet are a vital part of the community.”

She added that news of Evans departure was new information to her.

“We should be honoring you tonight,” she told Evans.

Other honorees of the sold-out event included Netia McCray, NAACP Youth/College Award; Rep. Curtis Richardson, James Hudson Citizenship/Humanitarian Award; and the Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr. and Bethel Baptist Church, George W. Conoly Community Service Award.

For other award recipients, receiving an award from the NAACP is an opportunity to help inner-city youth.

"The community is the grassroot that keeps us strong and able to build on a foundation to become great supporters for young people," said Anita Franklin, NAACP Music Committee chairwoman and the NAACP Branch Award recipient.

"This is for generations to come to realize their history, ancestors and those that fought in the movement. This is a way to show them how to achieve their goals in life," said Franklin, a 1984 Florida A&M University graduate.

Members of the FAMU Jazz Ensemble, who provided entertainment at this year’s banquet, said that events like this are the one's that are held dear.

"Events of this magnitude are my favorite to play at because people are in positive and encouraging spirits," said Michael Williams, instrumentalist for the FAMU Jazz Ensemble. Williams, who played at the event last year, said he returned because of the event's impact and importance.

"I also like playing here because people are always open to the music," he said.

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