I attended some of the past week's NAACP Centennial Celebration events but none of them compared to me being able to witness President Obama's speech at The NAACP's Freedom Fund/Spingarn Awards ceremony.  I recall hearing my great grandparents talk about being able to hear Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, my grandparents and parents marching for civil rights and equality in their late teens; I never had that positive life altering pivotal moment unfold before my very eyes that I would recall for the rest of my life and be able to relay to my kids and so on, until now.  Yes I stayed up and waited for the poll results to come in announcing our nation's next president...on television.  I watched the world stand still during the inauguration while watched millions of people huddle together to hear Obama agree to take charge of our nation for the next 4 years...in my bedroom. I've watched these historic events unfold before my very eyes but never in the flesh.  NOTHING compared to being in the same room with the President Obama, hearing his words live and in person.



The energy was intense waiting for our President to step onto the stage and when he did the crowd erupted!  One of the first words out of his mouth, "It's just good to be among friends." 


He addressed the NAACP, thanking them for paving the way for him and other minorities but he also acknowledged the long road ahead not only African Americans but all Americans.  Education became the "meat" of the speech as he stressed the importance of education for our country as a whole. He acknowledged the need to make all colleges more affordable as well as the need to reform high schools, middle schools and even early learning programs stating "It's not enough to just have a baby sitter."
His words clung to the room full of tuxedo and ballroom gown dressed attendees. "There is no stronger weapon against inequality than an education" rang throughout the ears of everyone from the smallest who will never understand the importance of the event to the eldest who lived during a time when a black man could never be president.

 
As he has frequently stated he called on the parents of today's youth to step up and become the change they want to see in their children.  He urged the youth to set their sights higher.  "Our kids can't all aspire to be the next Lil Wayne or Lebron James.  I want them to aspire to be doctors and teachers...aspire to be the next president, not just ballers and rappers."


He touched on his upbringing and credited his mother, family and positive role models with keeping him on the right path.  He also stressed the need for this generation to keep the NAACP's tradition alive.  Yes we have come a long way but we still have so much more to accomplish.  Overall the speech was very moving, heartfelt and one of most inspiring things I probably will ever see.  My words do the experience no justice but I can say that it was something that I'm still replaying in my mind.  Seeing my African American president speak at the NAACP's Centennial Celebration was priceless.



I also attended the NAACP Youth Awards ceremony and assembly earlier in the week.  The event acknowledged young African Americans from across the country that are positive forces in their school and communities.

Gospel singer Tonex opened with a tune.



Dr. Cornel West was the keynote speaker at the Youth night assembly and he did not disappoint. I have to admit I was looking forward to hearing him speak more than any of the other evenings events.  He gave a fiery speech pushing our youth to continue fighting for equality and never forget the roads traveled to get where we are today.



Dr. West is presented with an original piece from the NAACP.





Dr. Cornel West with Naturi Naughton and 106 and Park's Terrence J who served as the hosts for the entertainment portion of the youth assembly.



After dinner the teens were treated with performances from Letoya Luckett




and Bobby Valentino







There were many other dinners, award ceremonies and events held during the week so head over to www.naacp.org for all of the Centennial Celebration recaps.  All above photos were taken by myself but I have to thank Mario from the NAACP for allowing me to cover the president's speech live from the ballroom as well as all of the backstage action!
 
ALSO make sure to check me out on 99.5 WBAI's Rise Up Radio with host Tasty Keish.  I was a guest host for the evening and I talked about my NAACP/Obama experience.  The show aired live on Friday but can be hear via WBAI's website www.wbai.com.  Go to "Archived shows" and scroll down to "Rise Up Radio".