NAACP MRF Branch 50th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet
CHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA – The NAACP Montgomery Co. – Radford City – Floyd Co. Branch proudly held its 50th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, October 10 at The Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center. This year’s theme, “Facing the Challenges,” reflects the Branch’s steadfast commitment to justice, equity, and civic engagement.
The banquet featured keynote speaker Rev. Dr. David Jones, Pastor of the Williams Memorial Baptist Church in Roanoke, VA. Approximately 260 attended with 22 sponsors. The welcome to this historic anniversary of unity and support was given by Dr. Nathaniel L Bishop, Silver Life Member and Assistant Treasurer. Custom Vibes, directed by Dr. Glen Holmes, pianist, Mr. Ronnie Laws, drums, and vocalist Ms. Denise Smith led the group in singing, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem.
President Deborah H. Travis greeted the audience and recognized local elected officials and candidates for town and county offices. She emphasized our NAACP Branch’s role in serving our community for more than 67 years, advocating for justice, equality, equity, and opportunity. As a national non-partisan organization, the NAACP leads the fight for Race and Justice, Democracy and Voting, an Inclusive Economy, Education Innovation, Health and Well-being, Policy and Legislation, Environmental and Climate Justice, and Next Generation Leadership. Facing challenges, both locally and nationally, the Branch advocates for these principles with determination and purpose. Travis encouraged the audience to come together, work together and refuse to give up when faced with challenges. She invited all to join in the work by becoming a Member of our NAACP Branch to continue striving for equal and equitable access to education, the right to vote without fear, and a community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. President Travis invited all to join in the work by becoming a Member of our NAACP Branch.
Travis introduced Avielle Jay, NAACP Youth Council Secretary, who shared information about the work and objectives of the youth council and introduced all officers. A memorial tribute was held in honor of Branch members who passed away since the previous banquet. Reverend Pamela Phillips, Pastor of Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Blacksburg read the names of the five members, and Avielle lit a candle in memory of each member as their name was announced. The program continued with a message by Karen E. Jones, Political Action Chair of our NAACP Branch. She explained the three Constitutional Amendments on this year’s ballot and addressed regional environmental and climate issues, including data centers. Jones shared the urgency and importance of voting in the November elections.
Dr. Martha Ann Stallings presented the 2026 Samuel H. Clark Scholarship to this year’s two recipients: Mr. Melvin Palmer, Christiansburg , attending the University of Virginia ; and, Ms. Nathalia Bishop, Christiansburg who is attending Radford University, This scholarship is in honor of Mr. Clark who served as President of this Branch for four terms and instrumental in effecting a lawsuit that provided railroad workers’ rights. The Branch annually awards up to five $ 2000 scholarships to local youth connected with the NAACP Branch via membership and are pursuing post-secondary education.
After a musical selection by Custom Vibe, Mrs. Deborah Travis and Mrs. Shirley Akers presented the Nannie B. Hairston Community Service Award, The award is given In honor and recognition of Hairston’s “Most dedicated and Distinguished Service to her Community,” The NAACP Montgomery Co-Radford City-Floyd Co Branch annually recognizes a member who has contributed extensively to the New River Valley community and advances the mission of the NAACP. The 2026 recipient is retired educator, Dr. Martha Ann Stallings of Blacksburg.
Dr. Stallings, a true champion of community spirit and Silver Life member of the Branch, holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern Kentucky University, an M.S. in Education from Michigan State University, and a Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. She has taught in the Montgomery County School system for over seventeen years. She has a deep passion for the future of our children and advocates for their rights, opportunities, and access to education in both public schools and higher education by providing training to educators across Virginia through the VA Tech Training Technical Assister Center for the Department of Education.
For over twelve years she has served as the Chair of Dialogue on Race Education committee, a program that has made a significant impact in advocating for our children’s rights and educational equity in Montgomery Co. schools. She also serves on the NAACP Branch Education committee, where she fosters collaborative efforts with the Dialogue on Race and broader community. Her collaborative work has strengthened efforts to ensure that all children have the resources they need to succeed. Dr. Stallings has received numerous awards in recognition of her outstanding leadership and dedicated service. Among these honors are the NAACP Branch Community Service Award in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Educator Award, and the Eastern Kentucky University Hall of the Distinguished Award for Excellence. A resident of Blacksburg, VA, Martha Ann is married to Dr. Charlie Stallings and has one daughter, one son and five grandchildren.
Deborah Travis and Dr. Nathaniel Bishop recognized the 2026 banquet sponsors and partners. These included: Gold Sponsor Blacksburg Presbyterian Church; Silver Sponsors Asbury United Methodist Church, Blacksburg Museum & Cultural Foundation, Blacksburg Jewish Community Center, Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Carilion Clinic, First Baptist Church-Radford- Rock Road, Moog, Inc., Joy Powers For Congress, Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church, and the Town of Blacksburg; Bronze Sponsors: Christiansburg Institute Alumni Association, Greater Mount Zion Holy Church, League Of Women Voters-MC, UAW Local 2069, Montgomery Co Democratic Committee, Dr. & Mrs. Nathaniel L. Bishop, New River Community College- Office of the President; Our Saviour Lutheran Church; Riner Qigong, the Town of Christiansburg, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Dr. Nathaniel Bishop introduced speaker, Reverend Dr. David Jones, Pastor of the Williams Memorial Baptist Church of Roanoke, Virginia. Dr. Jones attended Radford University, earned degrees from Mid-Atlantic Theological Seminary, Jacksonville Theological Seminary, and Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, including a Doctor of Ministry with a dissertation on interfaith dialogue.
Dr. Jomes was installed as the 2nd pastor of Williams Memorial Baptist in Roanoke, VA, in 2012, where he has initiated a progressive agenda. He can be heard every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on WTOY’s “Think on These Things.” He has published in notable publications on a variety of topics. He is married to Georgianna Taylor and resides in Roanoke, VA.
Dr. Jones gave a powerful and moving presentation on the “Challenges of a Declining Empire”. He shared under current administration we have several major challenges. One is excessive debt and economic instability; the cost of war to all of us; internal conflict creating political division, and loss global influence and power. However, through this declining democracy we must not let “the decline dictate our destiny”. Stressed we “VOTE” and face the challenges and answer the “call to action”.
President Travis presented a gift of appreciation and thanked Dr. Jones for his advocacy and leadership. In closing, Travis asked all to remember that our work does not end with this event, but begins as we go out and advocate for what is right. All then joined arms and sang “We Shall Overcome” led by Denise Smith of Custom Vibes.
For those who wish to support the NAACP MRF Branch’s vital work in civil rights advocacy, racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people, we invite you to join our Branch. For more information, contact us via email at info@mrfnaacp.org or call (540) 382.6751. Annual and life memberships are available.
