The Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP will host a celebration this Friday to ring in the civil rights organization's 100th year of service to the nation.

To honor the national organization's milestone and the 41 years of service to the Auburn community, the local branch is organizing a Centennial Fund Banquet for 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, at the Springside Inn in Fleming. This year's goal is, “Send 10 College-Bound African Americans or Persons of Color to College Each with a $1,000 Scholarship!”

Broadcast journalist Dominic Carter, of Time Warner Cable's 24-hour news channel in New York City, will deliver the keynote address. As a political reporter, Carter has interviewed numerous high profile people, including

former President Bill Clinton, the late John Cardinal O'Connor and an exclusive with South African President Nelson Mandela. He also was the first to interview Caroline Kennedy as she sought a seat in the United States Senate last winter.

Along with musical entertainment, Promise Awards will be presented to numerous community members for demonstrating exemplary character, leadership, honesty, respect for others and strong academic promise. Two high school students from local schools will also be honored for their achievements.

The cost is $60 per person. A Centennial Special of $75 is being offered, which includes a one-year NAACP membership and a subscription to The Crisis magazine. Organizers are encouraging companies to purchase by the table.

On Saturday, the local branch will host the second quarterly meeting of the state conference of the NAACP at the Booker T. Washington Center. Business will end following a tour of the Harriet Tubman Home.

For more information, contact Krista Martin at 252-4962 or unit2128@aol.com.