Atlanta NAACP to Host 50th Annual Emancipation/Jubilee Celebration Honoring Gerald Griggs and Other Civil Rights Leaders

The Atlanta NAACP is preparing to host a historic milestone as it convenes the 50th Annual Emancipation/Jubilee Celebration, a signature event honoring the enduring struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. This year’s celebration will hold special significance as the Atlanta NAACP recognizes civil rights attorney and former Georgia NAACP and Atlanta NAACP President Gerald Griggs with the prestigious Foot Soldier of Justice Award.

For half a century, the Emancipation/Jubilee Celebration has served as a cornerstone event for the NAACP, commemorating the legacy of emancipation while recommitting to the unfinished work of civil rights. The Atlanta NAACP’s continued stewardship of this tradition reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to advocacy, community empowerment, and the protection of civil and human rights.

Honoring a Lifetime of Service: Gerald Griggs

Gerald Griggs has long been recognized as one of Georgia’s most prominent civil rights advocates and legal voices for justice. As a former President of both the Georgia NAACP and the Atlanta NAACP, Gerald Griggs led the organization during pivotal moments marked by voter suppression battles, police accountability efforts, and challenges to systemic inequities across the state.

Throughout his tenure, Gerald Griggs worked tirelessly to advance the mission of the NAACP, strengthening grassroots engagement, expanding legal advocacy, and elevating the Atlanta NAACP’s role as a leading voice for civil rights in the South. His leadership has left an indelible mark on the organization and the broader movement for justice.

The Foot Soldier of Justice Award is among the highest honors bestowed by the Atlanta NAACP, recognizing individuals who embody the spirit, sacrifice, and courage of the civil rights movement. By honoring Gerald Griggs, the Atlanta NAACP acknowledges not only his leadership roles but his decades of service as a legal advocate, organizer, and champion for marginalized communities.

Recognizing Additional Civil Rights Champions

In addition to honoring Gerald Griggs, the Atlanta NAACP will also recognize other distinguished leaders whose commitment to justice and community empowerment reflects the core values of the NAACP. Among those to be honored are R. L. White, Edward Dubose, and Dr. Joe Beasley, each of whom has made meaningful and lasting contributions to civil rights advocacy and community leadership.

Dr. Joe Beasley is widely respected as a legendary civil rights attorney and longtime advocate for human and civil rights, whose legal work and moral leadership have inspired generations. His inclusion in this year’s Emancipation/Jubilee Celebration underscores the Atlanta NAACP’s recognition of those whose courage and consistency have helped shape the civil rights movement in Georgia and beyond.

The inclusion of Rev. R. L. White, Elder Edward Dubose, and Dr. Joe Beasley underscores the Atlanta NAACP’s dedication to lifting up a broad range of voices and honoring those who have labored—often without fanfare—to advance equity, opportunity, and justice for all.

A Celebration of Legacy and Forward Movement

The 50th Annual Emancipation/Jubilee Celebration is more than a commemorative event—it is a call to action. The Atlanta NAACP continues to build upon the foundation laid by generations of activists, reaffirming the NAACP’s mission to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for all people.

As the Atlanta NAACP honors Gerald Griggs, R. L. White, Edward Dubose, and Dr. Joe Beasley, the organization also celebrates the countless foot soldiers who continue the fight for justice today. This Jubilee serves as a reminder that the work of emancipation did not end in 1865—and that the NAACP, the Atlanta NAACP, and leaders like Gerald Griggs remain essential to advancing freedom in our time.

The Atlanta NAACP invites the community to join in this historic celebration, reflecting on 50 years of progress while recommitting to the ongoing pursuit of justice, equity, and liberation.