Behind The Awards Banquet
Celebrating Commitment to Community
The Schenectady Branch of the NAACP will be hosting its first Freedom Fund Banquet since the pandemic. We are awarding organizations and individuals who embody the mission of the NAACP and organizations that have partnered with our branch.
The NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet is a fund-raising event held annually by local NAACP Branches . Funds are used for various local projects, such as scholarship funds and youth-oriented programming.
NAACP Mission Statement
Our mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.
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About Our President
Rev. Dr. Nicolle D. Jean-Simon
Dr. Nicolle D. Jean-Simon affectionally known as Pastor Nikki grew up in the city of Asbury Park, NJ & is the only child of Deacon Daniel A. Harris III & Emily Harris. Following high school, she went on to attend Delaware State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education with a minor in Theater in 2002. In 2004 Nicolle finished writing her first stage play a Gospel Musical titled “In the Final Hour.” Which was last staged at Newark Symphony Hall in New Jersey in November 2006. In November of 2013 Nicolle was elected to the Asbury Park Board of Education where she served for 3 years, serving as both President & Vice President. As a youth Nicolle attended Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park under the late Rev. Verner R. Matthews. From 2003 to 2009 she attended Rebirth Church International in Elizabeth, NJ where she served as Praise & Worship Leader, Bible Study & Sunday School Teacher, and Head of the Singles Women’s Ministry. After returning to the Central Jersey Shore area, she became a member at St. John A.M.E. Zion Church of Lakewood, NJ.
On January 16th of 2011 Rev. Jean-Simon delivered her trial sermon under her pastor and spiritual father Rev. Lester G. Washington Sr. In October of the same year, she became a licensed Local Preacher in the A.M.E. Zion Church receiving her license from Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Lawton Nelson Jr. In May 2016 she was ordained an Itinerant Deacon by the late Bishop Louis Hunter Sr. Rev. Jean-Simon is a graduate of The Theological School at Drew University in Madison, NJ where she earned her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree in 2018 & United Theological Seminary where she earned her Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Degree in 2024.
While at Drew University Nicolle did her internship at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City under the tutelage of Rev. Dionne Boissiere the first African American Chaplain to the United Nations and traveled to South Africa as part of her cross-cultural studies.
In June of 2018 Rev. Jean-Simon was appointed as the Supply Pastor of Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlantic City where she served until May of 2019. Also, in October of 2018 Rev. Jean-Simon was ordained an Elder by the hand of Bishop Dennis V. Proctor in Stamford, CT. On July 7, 2019 Rev. Jean-Simon was appointed as the pastor of Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Schenectady, NY and she presently serves as the President of the Schenectady Branch of the NAACP.
She is a proud Wife & Mother of the Jean-Simon Family
