Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Honors Kenny Leon, Will Packer, Millie Jackson, SOS Band and Brick
Atlanta, GA – The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus presented its annual Heritage Dinner and honored a bevy of legendary entertainers with Georgia connections last Thursday at the Georgia World Congress Center. Highlights included a performance of “Georgia On My Mind” by Sheila Ray Charles, daughter of Ray Charles in a tribute to her late father and Tony Terry singing his hit “When I’m With You”. A surprise highlight was when Movie Producer Will Packer while accepting his Heritage Award was so impressed with the GLBC interns that he offered a paid internship on his next movie for one of the lucky young people.
Celebrating Our Heritage, Our History: Saluting African Americans in the Arts was the theme of the annual dinner that attracted more than 700 federal, state and local elected officials, government community leaders, nonprofit organizations and academia. and was hosted by Actor/Comedian Chris Tucker and Fox TV News Anchor Cynne’ Simpson.
Honorees were: Steve Allen, Andre Thompson, Brenda Singletary and Gilbert Young, BRICK, Clifford “TI” Harris, Kenny Leon, Bohannan,Will Packer, Dottie Peoples, Clarence Carter, S.O.S. Band and Millie Jackson. A special tribute was paid to Otis Redding, who was represented by his wife and children; Ray Charles and James Brown who was represented by his daughters Dr. Yamma Brown and Deanna Brown Thomas.
In addition to Will Packer a Heritage Award was presented for theater to Kenny Leon, Founder and Artistic Director of True Colors Theatre. The GLBC presented Leon with a check for $1,000 in support of True Colors.
Key sponsors of the celebration included: AT&T Georgia, Astellas, Data Systems and Games, Georgia Association of Educators, Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Power, Morehouse School of Medicine and Waste Management.
The Heritage Dinner Committee members who worked diligently to plan the evening were Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Sen. Gloria Butler, Rep. Tonya Anderson, Sen. David Lucas, Sen. Lester Jackson,Sen. Donzella James, Rep. DarShun Kendrick, Rep. Billy Mitchell and Rep. Dexter Sharper.
Proceeds from the annual dinner supports the annual youth symposium and scholarships. ”
“We appreciate the support from our corporate sponsors and community partners, we will continue to engage in activities that educate and provide scholarships; conduct research, development and training activities; and support, sponsor, underwrite, staff and administer nonpartisan, programs that protect the general welfare of Black people, other people of color and disadvantaged citizens of Georgia,,” said GLBC Chair Rep. Dawkins-Haigler.
“The Black Caucus continues its important work that it has been doing for 42 years and is proud that this year our focus on youth has resulted in the highest number of interns at the Capitol and a well attended youth day with boys and girls from across the state in attendance, she added.
The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus is the largest state black caucus in the nation with a membership of 61 members who represent over 3 million Georgians.