When the red carpet is rolled out at Trotter Convention Center on Friday, the spotlight won’t be on actors or actresses.
Instead, it will shine on ministers, political leaders and community members whose work helped shape the Golden Triangle and the state of Mississippi.
Organized by District 41 Rep. Kabir Karriem, the inaugural Legacy and Leadership Gala promises to be a celebration of Black excellence and a tribute to those trailblazers.
“It’s a way to celebrate the shoulders of those who we stand on,” Karriem told The Dispatch on Monday. “It’s a way to make sure we pay homage to them. It’s a way of getting out, celebrating one another and just remembering where we come from and to know that we still have a lot to do.”
The Black History Month event aims to honor individuals, locally and across the state, whose leadership created pathways for future generations, a press release said.
The highest honor of the night, The Legacy and Leadership Black Excellence Award, will be awarded to U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who Karriem said will be in attendance.
“The Legacy and Leadership Gala is honored to present this distinguished award to Congressman Bennie Thompson, whose decades of unwavering leadership, courage, and advocacy have advanced civil rights, strengthened democracy, and uplifted communities across Mississippi and the nation,” Karriem said in the press release.
Doors are set to open at 6 p.m. Friday, with the main program starting promptly at 7. Karriem said there are a limited number of dinner and balcony seat tickets available, priced at $75 and $40, respectively. Tickets can be purchased at Helen’s Kitchen and Catering on 15th Street North.
The formal event will kick off with a red carpet hosted by local DJ and talk show host Rick “Don’t Go” Mason. Rita Brent, a comedian with the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, will host the gala, and Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, will serve as the featured speaker for the event.
Known nationally for blending faith and activism, Bryant is a pastor, social activist and author who is “driven by a relentless commitment to right wrongs, uphold justice and be a voice for the voiceless,” his website reads.
“It was just fate that his dates aligned with this event, and it’s real fortunate to bring him to the Golden Triangle for him to grace us with his presence,” Karriem said. “… He’s going to follow the theme of Black excellence, of not waiting until February to celebrate our history and heritage.”
Speaking to The Dispatch on Tuesday, Mason said he’s looking forward to asking guests on the red carpet about what Black leadership and legacy means to them.
“This is actually highlighting all the trailblazers, the people that have put in so much work throughout the years, to recognize them for their leadership roles throughout the Golden Triangle and the state of Mississippi itself,” he said. “… This is going to be a night the stars come out, the night that excellence is going to be showcased.”
While Friday’s gala is the first, Karriem said he hopes to see the event grow into an annual event honoring both pioneers and present-day leaders in the Black community.
“The gala is our way of saying thank you – by honoring our history, celebrating Black excellence, and giving those who are still with us their flowers while they live,” Karriem said in a press release.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
