Rev. Ellis Jackson

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Colquitt County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will host its Annual Freedom Fund Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at C.A. Gray Junior High School Cafeteria, 812 11th Ave. N.W.

The theme of this year’s banquet is “Make A Difference … Leave A Legacy.” The community is invited to join the support efforts to make Moultrie-Colquitt County a more cohesive community, an NAACP spokeswoman said.

The NAACP, founded in 1909, is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization and the Colquitt County Branch continues to operate under its vision as a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination. The organization hosts the banquet to raise funds for the branch, as well as it affords the community the opportunity to applaud men and women who have dedicated their lives to helping the underserved and the underrepresented population in Colquitt County, regardless of race, creed, or color.

The keynote speaker for the event is Pastor Ellis C. Jackson, pastor of Bethel Christian Episcopal Church in Valdosta. Prior to his appointment at Bethel in 2007, he served as pastor of Saint James in Pavo, Mount Olive in Newton, and Saint George Chapel in the Albany/Thomasville District.

Jackson a native of Pavo, and he is the third child of the late Andrew James Jackson and Viola Givens Jackson. He attended Thomas County Public Schools, and after graduating high school, he continued his education and graduated from Thomas University and Columbus State University Command College. He is a graduate of P.O.S.T. Mandate Training for Georgia Law Enforcement Officers and a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Executive Management Training for Law Enforcement. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Executive Management for Chiefs of Police, a graduate of Zion Bible College, and a graduate of ITC Certificate Program.

Jackson was employed with the Thomasville Police Department for 40 years where he held several positions with the agency, including chief of police for seven years and district chief for Southwest Georgia for five years.

His biography states that he loves the outdoors and gardening, and his passion for community service is evident in his involvement as a member of the Thomasville Rotary Club, Thomas County Chapter of NAACP, a Life Time Member of Georgia Chiefs of Police Association, Board Member of CPAW of Boys and Girls Club of America, and a member the Concerned Citizens Organization of Pavo.

Jackson also stated that the highlight of his life is his family. He is married to Flora Davis Jackson of Coolidge, and to their union they have two sons, Duward Ellis and Craig Lance Jackson, and six grandchildren. He said he is devoted to serving the Lord and being a servant for all humanity.

Isabell Brooks, president of the local branch, stated that the banquet serves as the largest fund raising event for the organization, and the invitation is open for membership.

In addition, Alma Fleming, the program chair, expressed appreciation for all of the sponsors and participants.

The tickets are $30 per person. Fleming can be reached at (229) 890-3803.

The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of right of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.