DALTON, Ga. — Antoine Simmons, president of the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP, said the unit is continuing the unity theme set forth by the Martin Luther King Jr. committee last month in honoring the Rev. King.

“Continuing unity in the community” is the theme for this year’s NAACP banquet set for Friday at the Mack Gaston Community Center. The Rev. W.E. Coombs, president of the Bartow County NAACP, is the guest speaker. The banquet is from 6 to 8 p.m.

Simmons said he encourages everyone to come “support their local NAACP branch.” 

“It helps the branch in funding work for the NAACP in their community,” he said. “It also helps to get people informed about the types of things we do to bring about unity in the community.”

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and are available at the community center and Willis Funeral Home or from any executive committee member. Dinner will be served and NAACP members will honor college-bound students. Simmons is asking for names of students who have been accepted to college and awarded an athletic or academic scholarship.

“We’re going to recognize and present them to the community,” he said.

Names can be submitted to Simmons by calling (706) 463-0842.

Also, in conjunction with Black History Month, the NAACP is hosting Youth Night at the Emery Center at 110 W. Emery St. on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free, but donations to the Emery Center will be accepted. There will be food, fellowship, tours, arts and crafts, games and the opportunity to learn about black history.

Saturday will conclude the week with a Black History Basketball Challenge and talent show, both at the community center. 

The basketball challenge is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature teams from Calhoun, Chattanooga, Dalton and Murray County. Tommy Pinson, NAACP executive committee member at large, said there are slots still available for teams to enter. The fee is $125 per team and the deadline is Wednesday. Those interested can call Pinson at (706) 278-8205.

The game is open to the public and free to watch. 

“All proceeds will go to the NAACP Youth Council we’re starting,” Pinson said.

The talent show will be from 6 to 8 p.m. and is also open to the public. Pinson said so far there are six acts signed up, but organizers are accepting more up until the night of the show. You can call the community center at (706) 278-8205 to sign up.

Simmons said he’s expecting the events to be fun-filled and educational, something the whole family can enjoy.