Two organizations and 13 individuals were recognized and honored Saturday night, during the NAACP Jefferson City Branch's 51st Freedom Dinner.
• The "Lifetime Achievement Award" was presented to Pamela Meanes, who also was the evening's keynote speaker.
Meanes was the first African American to be elevated from associate to partner in the Thompson Coburn law firm, where she practices in the litigation department and has represented corporations, public agencies and financial institutions.
She also is the current president of the National Bar Association, the oldest and largest national association of African American lawyers and judges in the United States.
Meanes attended Monmouth College in Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree in English in 1990, and had started her college with plans on being a teacher. While in college, she decided to help fill the shortage of African American college professors by earning a master's degree from Clark Atlanta University. But while there, she decided the best way to help make real changes in her community was by becoming a lawyer - so she went to the University of Iowa and earned her law degree in 1996.
She began her legal career at Thompson Coburn, and was elected a partner in 2005.
• The Roy Wilkins Award, given to individuals who have devoted their lives to finding solutions to racial inequality, was given to Nimrod Chapel Sr., a past president of the NAACP's Jefferson City branch - and father of the current president.
• The Presidential Choice Award is given to organizations or individuals to recognize commitment and dedication to equal opportunity, access, employment, diversity, community support and leadership.
Chapter President Rod Chapel Jr. named five awardees this year: National Guard Brig. Gen. Marty Robinson (who also is a former head of the state Public Defender system), Lt. Col. Stephanie Boykin, Jefferson City Schools Superintendent Brian Mitchell, and W.T. Edmonson and John Bennett, two area pastors who have been part of the "Faith Voices" effort to raise social issues locally and in the Legislature.
Edmonson also is a former president of the NAACP chapter, and both he and Bennett were involved in a protest in the state Senate last May that resulted in misdemeanor charges filed against 23 pastors from around the state. Rod Chapel is representing that group in the court cases.
• The Rosa Parks Award is given to individuals who have committed their lives and have shown dedication and commitment to the cause of equality and justice in the face of personal sacrifice - and for standing up against racism and discrimination.
This year, the "Missouri Faith Voices" group of clergy and lay people from all over the state was honored.
Though active on a number of issues, their most noticeable public stance has been urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid services to reach more Missourians - a stance that led to that May protest in the state Senate gallery.
• James Gearhart received the Lifetime Service Award, which recognizes an individual for a lifetime career dedicated to the cause of justice, opportunity and civil rights for all people.
• Cheryl Bonner received the Myrtle Smith Oden "Young Adult" Service Award, given to individuals who have worked in the NAACP or other civic organizations for overall community betterment.
• In addition to the Freedom Dinner, the local NAACP chapter holds an annual prayer breakfast, and this year's program recognized two past keynote speakers at that breakfast: The Rev. Adrian Hendricks and the Rev. Charles Jackson.
• Each year, the chapter also presents two $500 scholarships.
Shameka Kelley received the "Saundra Allen Good Citizenship Award," and Taylor Arvie was given the Lorine F. Knight Minority Education Scholarship.
• The Corporate/Public Image Award was given to SSM Health-St. Mary's Hospital.