With more than 425 people on hand for the celebration, the Nansemond-Suffolk chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held its 43rd annual Freedom Fund Banquet Sunday at Tabernacle Christian Church in Suffolk.

The NAACP is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Thursday, so this year’s event was extra special, and luminaries from Suffolk’s government, business, church and political communities all turned out to honor local award winners and hear a speech by the Rev. Dr. J. Rayfield Vines Jr., president of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP.

Vines, who said he was touched by the election of Barack Obama as America’s first black president, exhorted those attending to examine themselves, determine why they are here, and then make a difference in the lives of others.

He also asked the pastors present to get their congregations involved in the NAACP.

The local organization took time to honor some of its most active members on Sunday, bestowing a Legacy Award and Trailblazer Awards to a roster of Suffolk elders and leaders.

Receiving a Legacy Award for her outstanding community service was Miss Essie Clark, who received a standing ovation from the crowd.

First Vice President Costellar B. Ledbetter and Executive Secretary Vanessa Savage presented Trailblazer Awards to 41 Suffolk citizens for their community service, dedication and commitment to the NAACP, according to Savage.

Trailblazer honorees were Hilda Abrams, the Rev. Henry G. Baker, Mildred Bishop, Sylvia Bond, Wilmer Ross Boone, Charles O. Christian, Essie Mae Clark, Harvey D. Clark, Florine Cooper, Enoch Copeland, the Rev. Mark A. Croston Sr., Helen V. Daughtrey, Geraldine Diggs, Mike Duman, J. Harold Faulk, Michele Faulk, Michele D. Faulk, Mildred Freeman, Willie F. Gary, Paul Gillis, Ronald O. Hart, Marie Hill, Albert Jones Jr., Sylvester Jones, Romie Ledbetter, Roger Leonard, Vicki C. Wiggins-Pittman, Arminta O. Rawls, Dorothy A. Rawles, Amanda R. Rodgers, Vanessa M. Savage, Arthur Singleton, Edward Pete Smith Jr., Mary S. Steverson, Jesse B. Trent, the Rev. J. Rayfield Vines, Ruby H. Walden, Lue Ward, Orpah West, Leotis Williams and T.C. Williams.

Lifetime membership awards went to Costellar B. Ledbetter, Denice T. Williams, Leotis Williams, Roger Leonard and Alma Lundy (posthumously).

Entertainment was provided by the Rev. Charles S. Leavell, senior pastor of Balm of Gilead Baptist Church, who performed a solo, “My Tribute,” and by a praise dance team comprising youth from area churches.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded on Feb. 12, 1909, by a multiracial group of activists, who answered “The Call,” in New York City. They initially called themselves the National Negro Committee.