When it comes to role models, Marcus Bass has several, and it is those people that have influenced the young man to strive to make changes in the world.

Bass will share some of his life experiences during the Freedom Fund Banquet, an annual event sponsored by the Sampson County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Saturday, Oct. 7. The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the Clinton-Sampson Agri-Exposition Center.

The 2017 Freedom Fund Banquet, with the theme, “Parents and Teachers – Valuing Education for a More Just Society,” will feature the Clinton native as the keynote speaker. As a former public school teacher, Bass will share some of his experiences helping citizens to harness their own power to create change.

Bass was born and raised in Sampson County and attended school and graduated from Clinton High School. Growing up, Bass says he was very active in the community and after college, decided to return to his home and work with the students in Clinton.

Today, Bass serves as the statewide campaign director for the Voting Rights Advocacy Group, Democracy North Carolina in Durham. He is also the founder of the Youth Leadership Institute, “Camp Lead-Up.”

“I dream young generations of African Americans truly understand their value to our society and the necessity in their success for the betterment of our country,” Bass shared. “I hope that young African Americans do not have to fight with the cobwebs of racism and oppression like so many before them. I also hope they can work with other races to identify where and how to correct the race, gender and class issues plaguing our county.”

In high school, Bass says he was very involved, playing tennis, serving as the senior class president, writing for the school newspaper, leading different campus organizations, coordinating academic success and black history events and serving as state vice president for the Future Business Leaders of America.

After graduating from Clinton, Bass went on to North Carolina A&T University as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. While at NC A&T, the Clinton native found himself serving as the student body president and lead vocalist in the gospel choir, following in the footsteps of State Representative Larry Bell and the late William Whitaker.

Returning to Clinton, Bass taught business education at Clinton High School and Sampson Middle School before being called to serve the North Carolina Association of Educators training and supporting new teachers. Bass said he also served as a professional advocate for educators during hearings with human resources and organizes community members and legislative leaders to support pro-public education policies.

Bass was awarded the Leadership Award during last year’s banquet.

According to the Freedom Fund Banquet organizers, “this event will once again bring together a cross-section of people, representing many different ideas and viewpoints, helping to unite our community in our continued struggle for equality and justice for all in Sampson County.” In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Every step toward the goal of justice requires the passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

For anyone interested in renewing their membership or becoming a new member of the Sampson County Branch of the NAACP, Unit No. 5446, please contact NAACP President Lee Byam at 910-990-0873. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased from any member of the banquet committee or any member of the branch. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 15.

Banquet committee members are Gail Boone, Brenda Faison, Dazell Goodman, Tex Howard, Ethel Marshall, Gussie Underwood, Annie Williams, Eddie Williams and Vada Williams.

For more information about the mission and vision of the NAACP, the public is invited to attend the general membership meetings every fourth Monday at 6 p.m. at First Baptist, 900 College St., Clinton.

Bass
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Marcus-Bass.jpgBass

By Kristy D. Carter

[email protected]

Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.