The Memphis Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has announced NBA great and local philanthropist Elliot Perry and Independent Bank Co-Founder Susan S. Stephenson as the honorary co-chairs for its annual Freedom Fund Gala.

Elliot Perry

Susan S. Stephenson

The event begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

Stephenson is the Co-Chairman and President of Independent Bank in Memphis, Tennessee.  Established in 1998, Independent Bank is now an $800 million institution, the second largest bank headquartered in Shelby County.  

Prior to starting Independent Bank, she was Chairman, President and CEO of Boatmen’s Bank of Tennessee. When named to the position in 1995, the 37-year-old Stephenson was the first female Chairman and CEO of a Tennessee bank. Stephenson now serves as a board member of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, Memphis Branch, and is deeply involved in the Memphis community.  

She is the immediate past Chair and member of the Executive Committee and Board of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, Treasurer and Trustee of historic Elmwood Cemetery, a member of the Leadership Academy Board of Governors and the Baptist Women’s Advisory Board, and an advisor to the University of Memphis LEAD program.  

Perry is a Memphis native and graduate of Treadwell High.  He played four collegiate seasons with his hometown Memphis Tigers and led his team to second round appearances in the NCAA Tournament during the 1987-88 and 1989-90 seasons. Before being drafted in the second round (37th pick) by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1991 NBA Draft, Perry received his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.  

Perry, who picked up the nickname “Socks), played 547games with seven teams. He averaged 6.3 points and 3.1 assists per game for his career. His best season came in 1994-95 with the Phoenix Suns when he played all 82 games and was runner-up for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award following the season.

After leaving the NBA, Elliot later joined the Memphis Grizzlies ownership group and has formed the “SOCKS Fund” (Supporting Our Community and KidS) to provide financial support to those organization that are making a difference in the Memphis area as it relates to kids.

For ticket prices and other information, contact the Memphis Branch NAACP at 901-521-1343.