(l-r) MSR Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard, Jackie Cooper and Atum Azzahir 
MSR Publisher/CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard was among this year’s honorees. 
KMOJ’s Freddie Bell 
Estes Funeral Home’s Tracy Wesley (with his aunt) 
Jerry Williams Jr. of J & J Furniture Plus 
Activist Al Flowers 
Minneapolis NAACP President Cynthia Wilson 
Minneapolis NAACP President Cynthia Wilson (center back), surrounded by the executive team
On Saturday evening, September 16, at the Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, the Minneapolis NAACP held a “Night of Black Brilliance” celebration at its Freedom Fund gala.
Among those recognized at the event for their entrepreneurial excellence, achievements, and contributions to the Twin Cities were the Spokesman-Recorder’s Publisher and CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard, Estes Funeral Home’s Tracy Wesley, KMOJ radio’s Freddie Bell, Glover Insurance Agency’s Bernard Glover, Jerry Williams Jr. of J & J Furniture Plus, and Insight News’ Al McFarlane.
Minneapolis NAACP President Cynthia Wilson recognized Freedom Fund award-winner Kevin Reese, director of criminal justice at Voices for Racial Justice and a former columnist with the Spokesman-Recorder. Reese also founded Until We Are All Free, a human rights organization led by formerly incarcerated criminal justice experts.
Fellow Freedom Fund award-winners Verna and Shane Price, founders of The Power of People Leadership Institute, were also honored at Saturday’s gala. In addition, the NAACP recognized longtime Minneapolis community leaders Mahmoud El-Kati, Spike Moss, Verlena Matey-Keke, and Al Flowers.
Scroll through below for more photos by Chris Juhn.
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