The NAACP–Chicago Westside Branch has announced its 2025 Freedom Fund Concert Fundraiser, marking the organization's first such event in seven years. Scheduled for September 20, 2025, at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, the concert represents a critical fundraising effort to support civil rights, economic justice, and equity initiatives on Chicago's West Side.
This year's event features headline performer Terisa Griffin, known for her powerful voice and soulful presence, along with a special performance by the world-renowned Hiplet Ballerinas. The theme "The Fierce Urgency of Now: Reignite! Rebuild! Recommit!" serves as a call to action amid what organizers describe as unprecedented rollbacks in funding, civil rights, and policies affecting local communities.
The importance of this fundraiser extends beyond the musical performances. Funds raised will directly support the NAACP Chicago Westside Branch's year-round programs in housing, education, economic development, and criminal justice reform. These initiatives address systemic inequalities that disproportionately affect West Side residents, making the concert a vital mechanism for sustaining advocacy efforts that might otherwise lack sufficient funding.
Ticket information is available at https://www.cwbnaacp.org, with VIP tickets priced at $125 including premium seating and access to a pre-reception, and general admission tickets at $50. The event will also honor four community leaders: Vera G. Davis, receiving the President's Award for civil rights leadership; Nathaniel Gaither, recognized for youth empowerment work; Angela Taylor, honored for community advocacy; and Schanel "Princess" Shaw, celebrated for her leadership with Light Up Lawndale.
According to Sacella M. Smith, Co-Chair of the Freedom Fund Concert Committee, the event serves as both a fundraiser and a rallying point for justice and Westside revitalization. The return of this concert after a seven-year absence underscores the ongoing need for community-supported advocacy in addressing persistent social and economic challenges facing Chicago's West Side neighborhoods.
