Opal Lee, the 95-year-old civil rights activist and “grandmother of Juneteenth,” who campaigned to have it recognized as a national holiday, will bestow awards at the 1st annual “Gathering for Change” Awards Gala on Dec. 18.
She will honor the following: Paige Flink, former CEO of The Family Place, Vince Sims, co-anchor of “NBC 5 Weekend Evening News,” Topeka K. Sam, founder and executive director of The Ladies of Hope Ministries, Dione Sims, president and executive director of Unity Unlimited, Inc., Brittani Moncrease, reporter for Local 24 News in Memphis, Nina Turner, CNN political commentator and former Ohio State Senator, and National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, president and CEO, convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable Melanie Campbell. The in-person event will be held at the Dallas Park West Hotel. Start time is 6 p.m.
The honorees will receive a Champion for Change Award for their leadership in advancing social justice and equality locally and nationally.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by jazz saxophonist Vandell Andrew. He has recorded eight Billboard Top 25 singles, earned a No. 1 ranking on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz chart and received a Soul Train Awards nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance.
The 1st annual “Gathering for Change’ Awards Gala is the kickoff event for the Change is Possible Tour. The goal of the tour is to promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Tour dates will be announced at a later time.
The tour and awards gala are being organized by Dr. Belay Reddick and his wife Shinita, who are advocates for mentoring services and social justice.
The evening of elegance will include a cocktail hour, Red Carpet photography session, keynote speaker, and full dinner.
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Lee gained awareness for Juneteenth as a national celebration beginning with 2.5 mile walks each year to represent the 2.5 years it took for the news of emancipation to reach the slaves in Texas.
At the age of 89 she conducted a symbolic march from Fort Worth to Washington, DC. She also put forward a petition on Change.org to make the date a national holiday saying, “It’s going to be a national holiday, I have no doubt about it. My point is let’s make it a holiday in my lifetime.”
Her efforts finally paid off in June 2021 when a bill to recognize the holiday made its way through congress and was then signed into law by President Joe Biden. Lee was in attendance at the signing and received the first ceremonial pen used to ink the document.
Get more event information and purchase tickets on the Gathering for Change Awards Gala Eventbrite website. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email iamdrbelayreddick@gmail.com.
