Theresa Harper is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Distinguished Service Award. As an accountant with Richardson & Associates, where she is business development manager and auditor, she has volunteered with Accounting for Kids, Adopt a Class, and as a youth advisor and chair of the NAACP’s Afro- Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACTSO). She is active at her church, Quinn Chapel AME, and as a member of the Diversity Parents Group at Fairfield High School. At right is Morris Dees. Photos by G.L. Lewis Photography more photos on B6

Local individuals who demonstrate “Justice Triumphs Equality” were recently honored at the 56th Annual Cincinnati NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. The following Cincinnati NAACP Branch Freedom Fund Dinner honorees in all categories were recognized at the annual event Oct. 21 at Duke Energy Center. NAACP Scholarship 2011 Recipients

Isaiah Reaves, the grandson of former Freedom Rider Betty Daniels Rosemond honored at the Freedom Fund Dinner, sang a solo at the NAACP dinner. Cincinnati NAACP Scholarship Awards were received by Timothy Bryson, a graduate of St. Xavier High School; Cayla Burton, a graduate of Walnut Hills High School; Kiah Clingman, a graduate of Princeton High School; Gregory Hammons, a senior at Princeton High School; Laila O’Neal, a graduate of Western Hills Engineering High School; Joshua Reid, a graduate of Withrow University High School; DeVonte’ Roach, a graduate of Purcell Marian High School; Ciara Rosser, a graduate of Mount Notre Dame High School; Daryl Taylor, a graduate of Roger Bacon High School; Rhonda Towns, a graduate of Cincinnati State; Etta Trammell, a student at Xavier University; and Brittany Wyatt, a graduate of Finneytown High School.

Justin Howard, president of the NAACP Youth Council, talked about youth projects at the Freedom Fund Dinner.

Margaret Horton is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Innovative Educator Award. As a career educator of 46 years, she has served with honor in the classroom and in various areas of instruction, administration and supervision of education in three states and six school districts. She has served in teaching and administrative positions with the Princeton City School District and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. She has been the recipient of a number of awards for teaching excellence and her innovative creating writing programs. To her right are Morris Dees and Juanita Adams, interim president of Cincinnati NAACP Branch.

Honorees and host are shown on stage during the NAACP dinner award

Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. TLOD is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Community Outreach Award. TLOD is a national humanitarian and professional organization formed in 1964 by eight women of various backgrounds. The Cincinnati Chapter is one of the most active, and projects include working with teens, enhancing the status of women and seniors, community beautification and community partnerships.

The Cincinnati Herald, the recipient of the Cincinnati Community Outreach Award, is not only a 55- year–old newspaper that provides a voice for the local African American community, but also gives back to the community through a $10,000 scholarship donation to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; provides staff volunteers at two Avondale schools; hosts the annual Nefertiti Award Luncheon honoring extraordinary women, and hosts the annual Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance. The Herald staff is joined by Morris Dees, fourth from left and Judge John Burlew, second from right.

Asher Kearney was the youngest individual to attend the dinner. He is shown with his father State Sen. Eric Kearney and dinner speaker Morris Dees.

Corinthian Baptist Church Pastor Rev. K.Z. Smith gave the benediction.

Annie Ruth is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Innovative Educator Award. She is an internationally acclaimed visual artist/poet, author and performing artist who positively impact youth, women, the arts and education. She is described as a catalyst in the community, using innovative ways to build bridges and empower people through the arts and education. She created and curated “Dada Rafiki,’’ an art and cultural celebration that honors positive women in the community through art. She is founder of Eye of the Artist Foundation, which reaches children and educators nationwide to create arts education curriculum materials that depict positive African American contributions to society and culture. Award presents Morris Dees is at night.

Laura Brunner, center, an executive at Al Neyer Inc., is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP President’s Award for outstanding lifetime service to the NAACP. She has driven Neyer’s economic inclusion efforts. Iris Roley, at right, is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Wright-Overstreet Award for her work in the NAACP and the community. She is a community activist, a founder of Cincinnati Black United Front, a liaison representative to improve relations between Cincinnati police and the African American community, founder of the Cincinnati Hurricane Relief Project after Katrina, and chair of the NAACP Education Committee. Presenting the award was Dr. Gregory Williams, president of University of Cincinnati and event co-chair.

Judge John Burlew is recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Theodore M. Berry Award recognizing respect and outstanding achievement in the political arena. He has been active in and held key offices in the Cincinnati Bar Association. He is lecturer on ethics and substance abuse. He served on The Supreme Court Committee on Diversity. Morris Dees is at left.

Fr. Benjamin J. Urmston, S.J., Ph.D., is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Fair and Courageous Award. He has served 40 years at Xavier and is director emeritus of Peace and Justice at the university. He is involved in a number of interfaith organizations in Cincinnati. He was in General Patton’s Third Army in Europe in WWII and participated in three major battles. At right is Morris Dees.

Dr. Elliott Cuff of Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church and his wife Virginia Cuff were honoree co-chairs.

Betty Daniels Rosemond, center, is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP President’s Award for outstanding service to the NAACP. She participated in the Civil Rights Movement by picketing a lunch counter in her native New Orleans and as a Freedom Rider. She is shown with former NAACP President Christopher Smitherman and councilman-elect and Interim NAACP President Juanita Adams.

Crossroads Community Church Pastor Rev. Brian TomeTome, who gave the invocation, and his wife Libby Tome.

Emcee Courtis Fuller and Jerry Colbert, Woodlawn Elementary School student, who read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have A Dream” speech.

Roscoe Anderson Fultz is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Wright-Overstreet Award for his work in the NAACP and the community. He broke the color barrier as an organizer of the UAW Local 233 in the Fairfield General Motors Fisher Body Plant and has worked as a volunteer with the Avondale Community Council, Prince Hall Masons, and as a youth golf instructor. He is shown with Morris Dees and his daughter Rosalind Fultz.

NAACP Freeedom Fund Dinner Chairs Barbara Smitherman and Betty Richards

Honorary Chairs Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Scott Swain of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Beverly Jean Morton is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Distinguished Service Award. She began volunteering as a hostess for the Freedom Fund Dinner under Frank Allison’s presidency. She was instrumental in bringing the 2008 NAACP National Convention to Cincinnati, at which time she hosted the Women in the NAACP Empowerment Summit. She has served on state NAACP committees.

Sr. Alice Gerdeman is the recipient of the Cincinnati NAACP Fair and Courageous Award. She is coordinator of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center in Cincinnati. She is an activist and educator and conducts workshops and retreats on a variety of peace and justice topics.