The Omaha Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held its annual Freedom Fund Banquet Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Creighton University President, The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., gave the keynote speech, and NAACP Creighton chapter president and Arts & Sciences junior Analise Harris was honored with the NAACP Freedom Fund Youth Individual Award.

Tommie Wilson, president of the Omaha branch of the NAACP, said Schlegel spoke because of his activism in Omaha and familiarity with the area.

“He has tried to create a diversified community and administration. I knew he would be the type of person who could bring the community together in unity,” Wilson said.

Seven years ago, Schlegel started a diversity summit and breakfast for Omaha CEOs that is now an annual event every May.

He came up with the idea after returning to the area because “the community wasn’t as integrated as I’d hope it would be 18 years later. I find building diversity a leadership role. “

Harris was honored because of her outstanding leadership in the Creighton NAACP chapter. This is her second term as president and she increased membership and involvement.

“She is a shining youth out there who is working at Creighton to make sure all peoples’ civil rights are not violated. She’s a doer, and her leadership is one of the reasons why there’s still a chapter. She’s kept the flame burning,” said Steve Jackson, first vice president of the Omaha branch of the NAACP.

Wilson expected more than 500 people to attend, including eight students from Creighton’s NAACP chapter. The Freedom Fund Banquet is the only fundraiser for the Omaha NAACP and allows it to function. The money will fund education programs, stay-in-school and after school programs, youth groups, political actions, voter registration, supplies and bills. Wilson said the greater purpose of the night is awareness.

“We just want people to come and learn about the Civil Rights Movement and learn there’s still work to be done – in our community especially,” she said.

A major issue for Nebraskans during this election year is the possible ban of affirmative action, known as Measure 424.

Schlegel wrote that affirmative action does not favor any minority group over the other, it merely “seeks to level the field,” and serves as a “reminder that not all Americans have benefited from the economic and social opportunities of this great country.”

“This was the opportunity to say we’re not going to judge them or bar them from a position,” Harris said. “It’s not a hand-out – it’s a hand-up.”

This year, Wilson said the NAACP focused on getting people to vote. “With having an African-American electee and a woman. We are looking out for the welfare of all people,” Wilson said. “Don’t look at the race or the gender of the individual. We have to end the discrimination. There’s power in voting.”