CAMERA READY
What: 40th Annual Freedom Awards Gala
Benefiting: The Sarasota County Branch of the NAACP
When: Oct. 16
Where: The Ora
2025 Freedom Award Honorees:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Victor Johnson
- President’s Award: Roxie Jerde and Teri Hansen
- Rising Star: Nyla Harris
- Community Service Award: William Russell
- Public Service Award: Marlon Brown
- Education Award: Darren Gambrell
- Business and Industry Award: Lightshare Behavioral Wellness and Recovery Services
Honoree Shawny Robey and Frederick Rich
Photo by Lori Sax
Shavon Reed-Agard and Honoree Roxie Jerde
Photo by Lori Sax
Terry Connor and Honoree Teri Hansen
Photo by Lori Sax
Brandon Johnson, President of the Sarasota County Branch NAACP Trevor Harvey and Greg Rumph
Photo by Lori Sax
Dr. Berkis Contreras, Dr. Ariel Frederick, Dr. Jammal Marcano, Dr. Stephanie Williams and Dr. Karen Hamad
Photo by Lori Sax
Matt Grochowski, Larry Caceres and Ashley Griffith
Photo by Lori Sax
Carlyn Collison, Whitney Bentz, Genevieve Judge and Amanda Morales
Photo by Lori Sax
Mark Cunningham with Esther and Mark Smith
Photo by Lori Sax
Dr. Willie Clemmons, Gloria Darville and Ronnique Hawkins
Photo by Lori Sax
Christy Simonovic and Monica Stevenson
Photo by Lori Sax
Kay Mathers and Dawnyelle Singleton
Photo by Lori Sax
Muslimah Abdollah, Renee James-Gilmore, Carolyn Major-Harper and Ronnique Major
Photo by Lori Sax
Dr. Rachel Shelley and Laura Kingsley
Photo by Lori Sax
Stephanie Jones and Matthew Sauer
Photo by Lori Sax
Chloe Truewell, Jontayvia Howard and Jonnescia Ford
Photo by Lori Sax
Josiah Shird, Jonathan Howard, Jontayvion Howard and Hunter Gipson
Photo by Lori Sax
Vice Mayor Debbie Trice, Jackie Woods and Julia Groom
Photo by Lori Sax
Christine Hoffman and Shelia Atkins
Photo by Lori Sax
Michelle Walker, Marcia Page and Sandra Gary
Photo by Lori Sax
Dan Sadler, with Latricia and Darren Gambrell
Photo by Lori Sax
Mark and Stephanie Whitfield
Photo by Lori Sax
Robert Hierak, Dr. Monica Rider, Dr. Melvin Price, Dawnyelle Singleton and Vin Foderingham
Photo by Lori Sax
Gene Jones and Dr. Washington Hill
Photo by Lori Sax
Erika Quatermaine, Shannon Hankin and Rochelle Curry
Photo by Lori Sax
The dinner and awards ceremony begins.
Photo by Lori Sax
Cynthia Howard welcomes guests.
Photo by Lori Sax
The Rev. Demetrius Jifunza
Photo by Lori Sax
Music by Jordan Bolds
Photo by Lori Sax
Sarasota County Branch NAACP President Trevor Howard
Photo by Lori Sax
Charles Bryant, Edna Sherrell and Greg Rumph
Photo by Lori Sax
Philip Tavill, Jessica Rogers and Kyle Battie
Photo by Lori Saxi
