WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The NAACP Wilkes-Barre Branch hosted its inaugural Black History Month Community Dinner to honor those who have gone before and those who are paving the way forward.
Wilkes-Barre NAACP Assistant Secretary Daryl Lewis said they opened ticket sales for the event three times, and each time, they sold out, "So we wanted to make sure that they had the opportunity to receive hot, cooked food from a black caterer during Black History Month from a black caterer at a price point that was welcoming, in an environment that was comfortable and safe."
Lewis says they want to continue hosting community dinners throughout the year.
Upholding the main goal of the NAACP, to give a voice to the voiceless and ensure equality of minority group citizens, the dinner had community speakers tell their stories at the event.
Susan and Jackie Taylor, parents of Joshua Taylor, a man who died in Wilkes-Barre as a result of a punch to the stomach, have been seeking justice for their son with the help of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP.
Joshua Taylor's mother said, "So the first time that we ever felt that somebody was listening to us was when we spoke with the NAACP. They have helped us, they have helped us get his story out, and they have been right by our side to help fight for justice for Josh Taylor."
Rasheda Hammonds spoke about her journey to seeking justice for her brother, Shaheen Mackey, after an incident inside the Luzerne County correctional facility led to his death.
Hammonds says, "We are not saying all police or correctional officers are bad, but when justice needs to be had, we need to bring those stories to the light and bring awareness to those stories."
To find more information on the Wilkes-Barre NAACP and hear more about the speaker's stories, click here.