NAACP Baltimore County Taps Dayvon Love to Emcee Annual Awards Banquet

Commitment to principled leadership and the next generation highlighted in 'The Fierce Urgency of Now' theme

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

NAACP Baltimore County has announced that Dayvon Love, director of public policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, will serve as the master of ceremonies for its 2026 Freedom Fund Banquet. The event's theme, 'The Fierce Urgency of Now,' is drawn from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to action, signaling the branch's commitment to elevating principled leadership and investing in the voices that must lead now.

Why it matters

The selection of Dayvon Love as emcee and the inclusion of guest speaker Professor Darryl Green of Morgan State University reflects NAACP Baltimore County's efforts to showcase young, principled leaders and ground today's activism in moral reflection and practical action. This aligns with the organization's longstanding mission of advancing equity and justice in the community.

The details

NAACP Baltimore County's Freedom Fund Banquet is the branch's signature annual convening, where history is honored, leadership is recognized, and the unfinished work of freedom is renewed. This year's theme, 'The Fierce Urgency of Now,' is a call to action, reminding attendees that delay is a form of denial and that moral courage must be matched with timely action.

  • The 2026 Freedom Fund Banquet will be held on February 28, 2026.

The players

Dayvon Love

Director of public policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, a grassroots think tank that advances the public policy interests of Black people. Love has led legislative and advocacy efforts regarding criminal justice reform, liberatory approaches to youth development, and reparations.

Darryl Green

Professor at Morgan State University, whose work on healing, accountability, and justice echoes Dr. King's call for 'the fierce urgency of now,' grounding today's activism in both moral reflection and practical action.

NAACP Baltimore County

The local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which has stood up for political, educational, social, and economic equity in the Baltimore area for more than 50 years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Too often, young people are told to wait, to be patient, to 'earn' their place in civic life. Dr. King's words tell us otherwise. The fierce urgency of now requires their voices today.”

— Roland N. Patterson Jr., Author (afro.com)

What’s next

General admission tickets, tables, and Next Generation sponsorships are still available for the 2026 Freedom Fund Banquet.

The takeaway

By elevating young, principled leaders like Dayvon Love and investing in the next generation, NAACP Baltimore County is demonstrating its commitment to the 'fierce urgency of now' and ensuring that the unfinished work of freedom continues to move forward.