Linn Benton Freedom Fund Celebration 2026 in Albany

The Linn Benton Freedom Fund Celebration 2026 takes place Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 5 to 9 PM at the Willamette Conference Center inside the Linn County Expo Center in Albany, Oregon. Themed Community… Showing Up!, the evening brings a buffet dinner, a keynote from Salem City Councilor Dr. Irvin M. Brown, awards, prize drawings, live music and dancing. It is also the branch’s most important fundraiser of the year, and every ticket helps pay for its justice work in the mid-Willamette Valley.

A Night That Funds the Work

Freedom Fund events are a long NAACP tradition. Branches across the country hold them each year to raise the money that keeps local advocacy going, from voter education and legal redress to youth programs and housing work. For Linn Benton NAACP, which serves Linn and Benton counties including Albany and Corvallis, this celebration pays for a year of showing up in schools, at city council meetings and alongside families who need an advocate.

The theme, Community… Showing Up!, is a thank you to everyone who came out for that work this year, and an ask to keep coming.

Keynote and Emcee

Dr. Irvin M. Brown, Salem City Councilor, gives the keynote. On the council he is known for building trust through active listening, good governance and steady community engagement. Briae Lewis, Ward 2 City Councilor in Corvallis, serves as emcee for the evening.

What to Expect at the Linn Benton Freedom Fund Celebration 2026

1. Buffet dinnerA full dinner buffet, with a no-host bar.
2. Keynote addressDr. Irvin M. Brown, Salem City Councilor.
3. Award presentationThe branch honors people who showed up for the community this year.
4. Prize drawingsEvery guest is entered for the grand prize weekend at the coast. Extra tickets can be bought for gifts donated by local businesses.
5. Live musicSoul from the PDX Soul Collective, then DJ Dokkaebi closes the night with dancing.

Thank You to the Sponsors

This year’s celebration is supported by First Alternative Co-op, Oregon State University Office of Institutional Diversity, Baldwin General Contracting, Linn Benton Lincoln Health Equity Alliance, Renaissance Roofing, Hilltop Vineyards, GBC Construction, Willamette Valley Jaguars Professional Basketball, Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, Vivacity Spirits, Heresco Chiropractic and G. Christianson Construction.

Additional Resources

• Linn Benton NAACP
• NAACP National
• ACLU of Oregon
• Equal Justice Initiative

Hosted by Linn Benton NAACP and shared by the NAACP AOWSAC State Area Conference