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COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP will host its Annual Freedom Fund Celebration on Thursday, May 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Dr. Joe Leonard, Jr. will deliver the keynote address.

During the celebratory evening, Benedict College Athletic Director, Willie Washington, will receive the Civic Leadership Presidential Citation for his support and accomplishments in the struggle for equal rights. Washington is a graduate of Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and received a Masters Degree from Jackson State. In college, Washington was co-captain of the basketball team during his junior and senior years, another testimony to his leadership abilities. After college he played in the European Professional Basketball Club in Brussels, Belgium.

Currently, Washington serves on a number of athletic committees, boards and foundations. Washington is a four year member on the NCAA Division II Management Council, Chairman of the SIAC Athletic Director Committee, the NCAA Honors Committee, and the NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Seating for the Freedom Fund Celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information or details on ticket sales, please call (803) 754-4584.