For 75 years, the Niles NAACP has sought to be a leading force in equality through education and community empowerment.

On Saturday, the civil rights organization recognized the milestone anniversary with a “Freedom Fund Banquet” at the Greater Niles Senior Center, 1109 Bell Road.

Dozens of Niles residents gathered that evening to hear from speaker Agustin Arbulu, executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and to talk with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and State Rep. Dave Pagel (R-District 78), who were also in attendance.

Niles Branch NAACP Reverend Saundria Wilson helped to lead the event, which was themed “It Matters to Me.”

Speakers inspired those in attendance to work towards developing communication that could be a solution to problems, while also taking responsibility to have a sense of civic duty.

Stabenow said she was invited to the event, and wanted the chance to
support an organization that does much for its community. Going from table to table, the U.S. senator shook hands with residents.

“For me, it is a chance to re-connect with friends, and talk and hear from people about their concerns,” Stabenow said.

Stabenow then took the podium at the front of the crowd.

She reiterated some Niles’ history, which includes ties to the Underground Railroad. Stabenow spoke of W.S. Elliot and Lorenzo Alexander, who helped to send coded messages along the Underground Railroad that guided people searching for freedom to safety.

“Think about that and the land here and the people that stepped forward years ago,” Stabenow said. “I think about how difficult and dangerous that was, but they understood that each one of us has a responsibility to help others.”

Just like that piece of Niles history is known for, she encouraged residents to find ways to work together to achieve justice across social and economic platforms.

“As we go forward tonight and on, I hope we will be focused on those things that can create real opportunity for people — jobs, training, health care [and] support for our farmers,” Stabenow said.

Stabenow also touted investing in the protection of the Great Lakes — a cause for which the senator is widely known.

Building on the theme of working together to achieve a brighter future, Arbulu shared with residents the importance of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and its aims to investigate and eliminate discrimination.

The eight-member organization assists with a number of issues throughout the state, from community violence to police profiling, but overall the commission seeks to educate people so these problems never happen.

“The real importance is fostering communication and educating people on what we do and how we can prevent discrimination from occurring,” Arbulu said.

To do that, Arbulu said the commission facilitates learning opportunities and educates residents on their rights.

Those who feel their rights have been violated call the department to file the complaint.

Since March 9, 1942, the Niles NAACP has sought to educate and ensure social, economic political and education rights, while eliminating race-based discrimination. 

“[NAACP] has stood for civil rights in the struggle against bigotry and racial hatred,” Arbulu said. “They have prospered in this community and I think that it is very important to the department. They have gone through Jim Crow, Brown versus Board of Education and civil rights. Their work continues to push us forward.”