Manatee County NAACP Hosts Annual Freedom Fund Banquet Celebrating Community and Civil Rights
The Manatee County Branch of the NAACP held its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday evening, November 8, 2025, at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, bringing together community members, local leaders, and advocates in a celebration of service, civil rights, and civic engagement. This year’s theme, The Fierce Urgency of Now, underscored ongoing efforts to advance equality and opportunity within Manatee County and beyond.
The event featured NAACP National Chairman Leon W. Russell as the keynote speaker. Russell, who has spent decades in leadership roles at the national, state, and local levels, shared reflections on his long career in human rights advocacy and the continued work required to promote equity across the country. Attendees recognized his extensive service, including his tenure on the NAACP National Board of Directors and his years of leadership in civil rights initiatives in Florida.
Throughout the evening, the NAACP honored several individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community. Peggy Deligato received the Unsung Heroine Award for her decades-long commitment to literacy, youth mentorship, and service programs that support marginalized families. Westside Funeral Home was recognized as Outstanding Business, highlighting its four generations of service to residents in Palmetto and surrounding communities.
The President’s Award was presented to Betty Rhodes for her lifelong work supporting civil rights, public education, and civic participation in Manatee County. Clarence L. Love, Sr. received the Unsung Hero Award for his trailblazing leadership as the first Black elected official in Bradenton, as well as for his efforts to improve infrastructure and public services in underserved neighborhoods.
Oysters Rock Hospitality, led by John and Amanda Horne, earned the Community Service Award for its philanthropic efforts, including local reading programs and initiatives that aim to expand educational access. Elder Lawrence Livingston was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of service as a nurse, pastor, international missionary, and community leader, who has devoted himself to improving conditions in historically Black neighborhoods.
The Freedom Fund Banquet serves as the NAACP’s primary annual fundraising and recognition event, supporting the organization’s mission to advance civil rights, promote equal opportunity, and encourage civic participation throughout Manatee County. This year’s program highlighted both longstanding contributions and ongoing commitments to building a stronger, more inclusive community.
