Although he would go on to recover and earn masters and doctorate degrees from Ivy League schools, Stinnett’s greatest lesson was something else: He had to fight. It was a message he shared Friday with a crowd attending the Springfield unit of the NAACP’s Fifth Annual Freedom Banquet at the Hollenbeck Bayley Conference Center.
READ: Clark County 911 coordinator placed on administrative leave
“You cannot avoid fights in life. You never know when they’ll come and no clue what waits around the corner,” said Stinnett, who is the first African American male vice president of diversity and inclusion for an NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets. He also worked with the Obama administration.
It fit in perfectly with the evening’s theme, “When We Fight … We Win,” and had the bonus of being through the experience of a Springfield native. The banquet is one of the unit’s biggest fundraisers, and it included a number of special guests and energetic music that set the tone for Stinnett’s powerful message.
Still struggling with health issues while studying at Princeton University, Stinnett was reminded by a classmate that maybe God hadn’t lost his faith in him. He would fully recover, began making career achievements and wanted to pass that spirit onto his hometown.
“I came by to remind you God has not lost his faith in Springfield,” he said. “You have to keep fighting, but you’ve got to develop a strategy and you have to put work behind your faith. Springfield is not going to reach a high potential just by going to church and prayers.”
PHOTOS: John Legend’s evolution to ‘Sexiest Man Alive’
Stinnett used examples of the African American slaves and Harriett Tubman and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as those who combined faith and actions. Living in Brooklyn, he returns to Springfield about four times a year to visit and admitted he was surprised by the honor to speak.
He spent much of the time after the program shaking hands, exchanging hugs and being treated as a hometown hero.
“This has been tremendous,” Stinnett said afterward. “I’m optimistic about Springfield’s future.”
Chad Wilson of Centre City Studio was recognized with an award for establishing a recording and media academy for local students, with several attending the event.
Although they don’t get out much being in their late 80s, Charles and Dorothy Kelley of Springfield make the Freedom Fund Banquet an annual outing.
“It’s good to get out of the house, and this is a chance to meet people and see others we haven’t seen in years,” said Charles Kelley.
A retired International Harvester employee and Springfield City Schools teacher, the Kelleys said that they appreciate the NAACP’s efforts. Dorothy grew up in South Carolina and recalls the Ku Klan Klan frightening her neighborhood. She said she also recalls the NAACP’s efforts helping pave the way for a better life.
The couple met while serving in the U.S. Army and settled here to raise six children, all college graduates.
The couple said they never considered leaving Springfield. “I miss the ocean and seafood of South Carolina, but this is a beautiful place to live and raise a family,” Dorothy said.
Proceeds raised from the banquet will help with various Springfield unit projects, said the local NAACP unit’s president, Denise Williams, who said she was gratified to see the filled auditorium Friday. She reflected that it was just six years ago when she and a friend were the only members of the revived unit.
“We’ve built bridges, repaired relationships and gotten better communications,” she cited as reasons for the growth.
The unit’s goals for the future include pushing membership over 300 from its current level of 150, to bring together other smaller local groups, to work with local prosecutors to create a coalition and build a relationship with Springfield Regional Medical Center.
About the Author