NAACP Arlington Branch is excited to host Glow Unapologetically: Embracing Black Brilliance, the 78th Annual NAACP Arlington Branch Freedom Fund Banquet. NAACP Arlington Branch is excited to host a vibrant evening honoring those who have embraced their power, brilliance, and heritage. October 4th will be an energetic and exceptional celebration of Black excellence, brilliance, and unapologetic pride.
See you Saturday, October 4th, for Arlington's biggest civil rights & social justice event of the year!
Get your early bird discount before September 4th! Tickets will not be sold at the door on the night of the banquet.
Glow Unapologetically: Embracing Black Brilliance
78th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet
Saturday, October 4, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
George Mason University - Mason Square (Arlington)
3351 Fairfax Drive
Arlington VA 22201
Tickets & Tables
Tickets will not be sold at the event. Be sure to get your tickets in advance.
Going with friends? Consider buying a table so you can all sit together.
General
Admission
$110.00
$100.00 Early Bird Discount
until September 4th
1 banquet seat
VIP
Admission
$150.00
$140.00 Early Bird Discount
until September 4th
1 banquet seat * 1 admission to VIP-only reception * 1 parking validation
Reserved
Table
$900.00
$800.00 Early Bird Discount
until September 4th
8 banquet seats at reserved table
VIP
Table
$1,200.00
$1,100.00 Early Bird Discount
until September 4th
8 banquet seats at premier reserved table * 8 admissions to VIP-only reception * 8 parking validations
Sponsorships
Support NAACP Arlington Branch through our Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. Multiple sponsorship levels are available: Gold, Silver & Bronze Sponsorships
Gold Sponsor
$5,000.00
2-minute speaking slot at the event *
Showcased in event presentation *
4 standalone social media mentions *
Full-page in the printed program
8 banquet seats at premier reserved table
8 admissions to VIP-only reception *
8 parking validations
Silver Sponsor
$2,500.00
Featured in event presentations *
2 standalone social media mentions *
Half-page in the printed program
8 banquet seats at premier reserved table
8 admissions to VIP-only reception *
8 parking validation
Bronze Sponsor
$1,500.00
Shared focus in event presentation *
3 shared social media mentions *
Half-page in the printed program
4 banquet seats at premier reserved table *
4 admissions to VIP-only reception *
4 parking validations
Souvenir Journal
Support NAACP Arlington Branch by advertising in the Souvenir Journal + you can join our Patrons’ List for just $30.
Souvenir Journal - Full-Page
$250.00
Full-page in the printed program * (No banquet seats)
Souvenir Journal - Half-Page
$100.00
Half-page in the printed program * (No banquet seats)
Souvenir Journal - Patron's List
$30.00
Your name (or company/ family name) listed as a supporter in the printed program * (No banquet seats)
Ticket & Sponsorship Deadlines
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Now through Thursday, September 4, 2025
Discounts on Tickets & Tables
TICKET & TABLE PURCHASES
Deadline Monday, September 29, 2025
Going with friends? Consider buying a table so you can all sit together.
SPONSORSHIPS & JOURNAL ADS
Deadline Monday, September 29, 2025
Support the work of NAACP Arlington Branch
Glow Unapologetically: Embracing Black Brilliance
7:00 pm, Saturday, October 4, 2025
Tickets will not be sold at the event. Be sure to get your tickets in advance.
See you October 4th!
Event Parking & Directions
George Mason University - Mason Square (Arlington)
Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall)
3351 Fairfax Drive
Arlington VA 22201
Public Transportation
Metrorail stations (Virginia Square is closest), and Metrobus and ART bus stops are within walking distance of campus.
Biking
There is plenty of bike parking.
Parking - Finding the entrance is tricky
Paid parking is available in the Van Metre Hall garage. The garage entrance is in the alley behind the main building, via Founders Way North.
Enter the garage from Kirkwood Rd. in the middle of the block between Washington Blvd. and Fairfax Drs, across from St. Charles Church.
VIP and Sponsor packages include parking validation.
2024 Award Descriptions & Winners
Willard W. "Woody" Brittain Community Appreciation Award
Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) & CEO and Co-Founder, Devanshi Patel
(individual or group/organization)
Honoring Mr. Willard Woodson “Woody” Brittain for his many contributions to the corporate worlds and the Arlington community. This award is given to an Arlington individual, group, or organization that, through their action/service, have contributed many hours of their time towards the betterment of Arlington County and its residents.
Esther Georgia Irving Cooper Civil Rights Activist of the Year Award
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
(individual or group/organization)
Honoring Esther Georgia Irving Cooper, co-founder of NAACP Arlington Branch. She worked to improve educational opportunities for Black children in Arlington, and led our local and state NAACPs in challenging inequalities in the county’s high school facilities. In 1940 she organized and became the first president of the NAACP Arlington Branch and soon joined NAACP Virginia’s executive board. This award is given to an individual, group, or organization actively involved in advocating for various civil rights causes.
Henry L. Holmes Meritorious Service Award
Craig Syphax
(individual or group/organization)
Honoring Henry L. Holmes, the first African-American elected official in Arlington. A prominent local civic leader, he served as the Commissioner of Revenue for 27 years. After emancipation, he moved to Freedman's Village and gained political and community success. Among other accomplishments, he founded St. John’s Baptist Church and the Butler-Holmes community (now Penrose). This is awarded to an individual, group, or organization that has supported the Branch, the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, or the Arlington community for over two years.
Charles P. Monroe Civil Rights Award
Hilary Chapman & the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG)
(individual or group/organization)
Honoring the former County Board Chairman, Charles P. Monroe. He was a community advocate for increased public participation in County government, with a focus on affordable housing and other issues affecting the financially disadvantaged. This award is granted to an individual, group, or organization that has advocated for the civil rights of those living in Arlington County.
NAACP Arlington Branch President's Award
Nadia Conyers
(individual or group/organization)
This distinguished honor is given to an individual or group/organization that is “actively challenging others to embrace diversity and ensure greater opportunity for all people.” Granted at the discretion of the Branch President.
NAACP Arlington Branch Scholarship
(individual)
This one time scholarship is awarded annually to students who have demonstrated academic merit and success and are residents of Arlington County, provide community service in Arlington, and/or attend religious services in Arlington.
NAACP Arlington Branch & Amazon Future Leaders Scholarship
(individual)
This program was founded in 2021 through a partnership with a generous donation from Amazon HQ2. This renewable scholarship supports promising Arlington students in furthering their higher educational goals.
Willard Woodson Brittain, Jr. Scholarship Award
(individual)
The Willard Woodson “Woody” Brittain Foundation provides scholarships for students who are actively involved in the Arlington community. This scholarship is renewable for the three consecutive years following the original award, subject to academic performance and available funding.
Freedom Fund Banquet Purpose
The NAACP Arlington Branch Freedom Fund Banquet is an annual fundraiser that supports programs that seek to improve the quality of life for all people through focusing on education, economic development, crime deterrent, and health and safety. Additionally, the event is an opportunity to promote the local Branch and its mission and to acknowledge the contributions of organizations and individuals who have benefitted from the legacy of those who came before us and are following in their tradition of “Giving Back to Their Community.” This is a time for recommitting the fundamental principles of the NAACP, while encouraging others to seize the mantle of leadership so that we can all stay the course.
Disclaimer
Contributions or gifts to this NAACP branch are not deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal Income tax purposes. However, organizations that purchase ads, sponsorships, or tickets for business purposes, may be able to deduct these expenses as a business expense.
NAACP Arlington Branch Vision
We envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons in Arlington can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.