Maryland Governor Urges Immediate Action on Racial Inequality at Detroit NAACP Dinner

Detroit, Michigan – Maryland Governor Wes Moore delivered a powerful message Sunday night, calling for urgent action to address racism and inequality during the NAACP Detroit Branch’s 70th annual Freedom Fund Dinner.

Speaking to thousands gathered at Huntington Place, Moore reflected on lessons from his mother, who raised him alone and taught him that patience is sometimes not an option.

“Racism isn’t only an act,” Moore said. “Racism is a system. The question is whether we are willing to take action to undo the damage of the past so we can build a better future for everyone.”

The Freedom Fund Dinner is known as the largest sit-down event of its kind in the world. This year, the hall was decorated with large portraits of civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Thurgood Marshall. Table signs carried clear messages, including “Diversity is not a bad word” and “Don’t agonize, organize.”

Moore, who became Maryland’s first Black governor in 2023, described his journey from a childhood marked by struggle to being sworn in as governor. He urged the audience to act with what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called “the fierce urgency of now.”

“We cannot wait,” Moore said. “If we do, the damage of the past will become the inheritance of the future.”

The event came as civil rights advocates face new challenges. NAACP Detroit President Rev. Wendell Anthony said efforts in Congress to cut food aid, reduce funding for schools, and change Medicaid rules put many people at risk.

“Now is not the time to stand down,” Anthony said. “Now is the time to step up. Freedom is on the line.”

State Senator Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, said proposed Medicaid changes such as work requirements and new co-pays could cause nearly 11 million Americans to lose health insurance. In Michigan, more than 27% of residents rely on Medicaid.

“That includes pharmacy benefits, dental care, and support for our seniors,” Santana explained. “It affects families all over our state.”

City Council President and mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield also encouraged residents to stay engaged by calling lawmakers and demanding policies that help their communities.

As the evening ended, Moore left the crowd with a clear reminder: “History does not happen on its own. It is shaped by people who decide that waiting is no longer an option.”