About the Banquet
Standing on Business…
The Freedom Fund Banquet is the Winston-Salem NAACP’s primary fundraising event, supporting the branch’s advocacy, community outreach, Enrichment Center, and scholarship programs. Through this work, the branch affirms its commitment to Standing on Business—leading with accountability, action, and results in the pursuit of equity.
Proceeds from the banquet advance the NAACP’s mission to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all and to eliminate race-based discrimination. The Winston-Salem NAACP addresses critical issues including educational equity, economic and labor justice, voting rights, fair housing, access to health care, and environmental and criminal justice.
The event also provides an opportunity to recognize annual scholarship recipients and honor outstanding NAACP members and community leaders whose service and leadership exemplify the organization’s mission and values.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Theme: Standing on Business
- Small Business Vendor Fair 1:00pm – 6:30pm
- Dinner Attire: Semi-formal
- Main Event: 6:00pm
Event Location:
Benton Convention Center
301 W. 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Business Vendor Market
Vendor Market
Standing on Business
The First Annual Winston-Salem NAACP Freedom Fund Gala Business Vendor Market will kick off the day by showcasing a curated selection of culturally diverse vendors. This vibrant marketplace will unite the community for a day filled with art, live performances, fashion, crafts, and educational experiences.
For more information contact Vendor Chair, Raymona Brown at raymona_brown@hotmail.com
Standing on Business Gala
Scholarships
Each year the Winston-Salem Branch offers five scholarships of $1,000 each to assist eligible high school seniors of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools with paying for college.
Preferences:
- Be a high school senior with an unweighted G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher.
- Plan to enroll as a full-time student in a two or four-year accredited college or university.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
Application:
The application period is January through March. The application must include a brief statement highlighting the student’s educational and career goals, and community involvement. All application information will be kept confidential by the scholarship awards committee. Also, all scholarship recipients grant the Winston-Salem NAACP permission to use their names and photographs/videos in media to publicize, report, and/or promote the scholarship program and the Winston-Salem Branch NAACP.
2026 Sponsorship Levels
For Sponsorship details, please contact Linda Sutton, Sponsorship Chair at ljsutton2000@hotmail.com.
Platinum Sponsor - $5,000
- Dinner Tickets (Table for 8)
- Acknowledgement from the podium
- Full Page ad in Souvenir Journal
- Logo on Freedom Fund Webpage
- 3 Social Media Post
Gold Sponsor - $2,500
- Dinner Tickets (Table for 8)
- Half Page ad in Souvenir Journal
- Logo on Freedom Fund Webpage
- 2 Social Media Post
Silver Sponsor - $1,500
- Dinner Tickets (Table for 8)
- Quarter-page ad in Souvenir Journal
- Logo on Freedom Fund Webpage
- 1 Social Media Post
Bronze Sponsor - $1,000
- Dinner Tickets (Table for 8)
- Quarter-page ad in Souvenir Journal
- Logo on Freedom Fund Webpage
Steadfast for Freedom - $750
- Dinner Tickets (Table for 8)
- Name in Souvenir Journal
- Logo on Freedom Fund Webpage
Freedom Table - $600
- Dinner Tickets (Table for 8)
- Name in Souvenir Journal
Journal Advertising
- Full Page Ad – $150
- Half Page – $75
- Quarter Page – $50