Gary to speak at NAACP Banquet
Willie E. Gary, prominent attorney who pulled himself up by his bootstraps and is one of the most successful lawyers in the country, will serve as the keynote speaker at the 32nd Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on April 19, 2008.
Gary has always applauded the accomplishments of the NAACP and has discussed at other banquets how tirelessly the organization works to protect the rights of African Americans. At an Albany NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in 2005, Gary was honored for his achievements including his contributions to the education and advancement of young African Americans across the country.
"I was honored to speak to a group so dedicated to equality and so driven to make the world a better place, said Gary. "We all need to lead by example by helping those less fortunate, providing guidance for our young people and working hard to build stronger communities." The 32nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet will be held at South Georgia Technical College (the Hangar) at 6 p.m., Saturday April 19, 2008. The theme will be "Investing in our Youth."
Tickets are $50. It will be an elegant evening of fine dining and entertainment with several community leaders and NAACP officials recognized. Instead of the high school senior scholarships that were given at previous Banquets, this year the NAACP will give savings bonds to our youth ages four to eighteen years old.
Gary is also expected to be honored with a NAACP award. Once a migrant worker and now a billionaire attorney, Gary has earned his reputation by representing little-known clients against major corporations. He is now a nationally recognized leading trial attorney who specializes in wrongful death cases.
He has handled some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S. history, winning more than 150 cases valued in excess of $1 million each.
He has been featured in Ebony magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential Black Americans." Forbes Magazine has listed him as one of the "Top 50 attorneys in the U.S." And his remarkable legal career and tireless work has been well documented on "60 Minutes," and other news shows and he has made a guest appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." But despite all the success, his firm's three, posh waterfront offices in Florida, the Rolls Royce's, a custom designed Boeing 737 and the 50-room mansion, he still considers himself the "David against Goliath." He recently encouraged attendees at the University of South Florida's Black History Month Program to reach back and help the less fortunate and to not catch "amnesia" while striving for success. "Many great men and women have sacrificed and fought hard for civil rights. They deserve to be recognized and remembered during Black History Month," said Gary. "Thanks to their resolve, opportunities our grandparents only dreamed of having are accessible to all Americans. While striving for our own success, we must not forget to fight for the less fortunate and downtrodden.
" Matt Wright, Americus- Sumter NAACP president, said he was happy to have Attorney Gary as our keynote speaker. "His background of growing up in a poor family in Georgia shows what determination and hard work can do," said Wright. "He kept pushing until he won." Wright said he expects a lot on new participants this year in the Freedom Fund Banquet, with many new churches expressing their desire to attend this year's banquet. We are so appreciative of their support. "This will be my first banquet as president of the local NAACP, says Wright. I am excited and looking forward to a delightful evening.
" He credits our success this year to an excellent staff, a well managed NAACP office, and a loving and devoted wife.
"It makes my job a lot easier," he said. President Wright said he also looks forward to Gary electrifying the crowd. According to Gary's Web site, his vast appeal stems from his desire to be the best and a passionate work ethic he learned through his humble beginnings. One of 11 children, Willie Gary was born in Eastman, Georgia, and raised in migrant farming communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. His unwavering desire to earn a college education ultimately led him to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina where the all-state high school football player would earn an athletic scholarship after being told there was no room for him on the team. Gary went on to become the cocaptain of Shaw's football team during the 1969, 1970 and 1971 seasons. Earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Gary went on to North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina where he earned a Jurist Doctorate in 1974.
Upon earning his law degree, Gary returned to Florida with his childhood sweetheart, Gloria, - now his wife. Gary was admitted to the Florida Bar and opened his hometown's first African-American law firm with the help of Gloria, who assisted him at his new practice. The Web site adds that Gary's practice has since grown into the thriving national partnership known as Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson & Sperando, P.L., consisting of 37 attorneys, a team of paralegals, a professional staff of 120 including six nurses, two fulltime investigators, an administrator, a certified public accountant, a public relations director, a general counsel, human resources director, and a full administrative staff. In 2001, Attorney Gary and his cofounder Attorney Lorenzo Williams joined Attorney George W McGriff as defense attorneys for Dr John Marshall. I was blessed to have lead Attorney McGriff by my side; and it was an added blessing to see a powerhouse like Lorenzo Williams of the Gary firm jointhe team.
