The NAACP State Convention will be held in Cookeville this fall, as the bid to host was awarded to the Cookeville-Putnam County Branch.
State Vice President and Cookeville-Putnam County Branch President Tom Savage said he is excited to bring the convention to Cookeville because the opportunity does not come around often. Savage said the convention is an opportunity for what he calls a community reset.
“Let’s answer some questions that need to be answered,” Savage said. “Let’s come back together, lets be as one. Lets work to have a better unity between every community in our community.”
The convention will begin on September 25 at the Putnam County Convention Center. Savage said this year, the event’s theme is the Fierce Urgency of Now.
Savage said this theme is relevant because of the NCAAP’s work over the years. Savage said he feels like causes the NAACP has fought for have brought progress, but they have been watered down.
“This is not a time for apathy, it’s a time for advocacy,” Savage said. “As we have to come together as one and try to hold on to the things we’ve accomplished and not go backwards.”
Savage said Cookeville is a great spot for the convention to be held because of what it has to offer. He said not many people know about Cookeville, but he is excited to showcase the community and it’s great people.
Savage said bringing the convention to Cookeville is a lot of work. Savage said Convention Chairman Johnnie Wheeler is leading the charge for support from community leadership. Savage described the work as necessary trouble because he thinks the community needs to have fellowship with the NAACP.
Savage said many people may have preconceived notions about the NAACP, but he thinks community members may have some things in common with the organization.
“They stand for basically all the things here in Cookeville,” Savage said. “Good people, good citizens, abide by the law, have religious values, educated people, love their children. And [the convention] is just a great opportunity for our community to entangle with people from various areas, and I think it will help us in the future.”
Savage said the convention will have a press conference with state and local NAACP leaders, followed by a meal with faith leaders from across the state. Other opening day events include a community engagement workshop, health expo, and speaking engagements.
Later in the convention, Savage said there will be events like the women’s Parade of Hats, a youth town hall, and a youth in college luncheon. The event wraps up on September 27 with the Freedom Fund Dinner, where attendees can hear from a speaker about their experiences in the Civil Rights Movement.
