The Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP will have its Annual Awards and Freedom Fund Banquet 7 p.m. Saturday at the Texarkana Convention Center, 4610 Cowhorn Creek Road, Texarkana, Texas.
Tracy Steele will be the keynote speaker with Phillip O'Donald serving as master of ceremonies.
Steele, raised by a single parent in North Little Rock, Ark., earned a full scholarship at Rice University and would later graduate with a degree in political science.
He has served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives and two four-year terms in the Arkansas Senate.
During his political career, Steele has supported the 2006 Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act to reduce secondhand smoke in public places and Act 393 of 2009, which created a statewide emergency trauma system.
He has also supported legislation for the unemployed to gain quicker access to unemployment benefits, banning the sale of toy guns that are replicas of real guns and eliminating "sagging" in public schools.
One of his proudest legislative achievements was the funding and completion of the State Capitol Monument Testament, which is dedicated to the Little Rock Nine and the civil rights movement.
In 2008, Steele established the nonprofit organization STAND Foundation Inc. with the goal of supporting leadership development.
In 2013, he was also named the state director of the Division of Youth Services, a division that assists adjudicated youth.
In 2015, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Steele director of the Health Services Permit Agency.
He serves on the North Little Rock School Board.
Steele and his wife, Cassandra, have a daughter, Sumone, and a son, Tracy Justice.
The family are members of Grace Temple Church in Little Rock.
During the banquet, the 2019 NAACP Award recipients will be honored.
The recipients are:
- Educational-Cassandra Rhone
- Community Service-Laura Spencer
- Professional Award -Dr. James Morris
- Trailblazer-Kimberly King-Webb
- Torch Bearer-Arthalia Hardy
- Religious Affairs-the Rev. T. J. Roberson
- Business Award-Miracle Closet (Miracle Hendrix)
There will be a meet-and-greet reception from 6 to 7 p.m.
Beverly Webb will present a special tribute to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
Tickets are $60 for indi viduals and $500 for a table of eight.
For more information, contact Melva Flowers at 903-244-1963 or Robert Jones at 903-278-4278.