Martin Luther King, III, speaks in front of projected images of his parents, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King. Chilling. (Photo by John Black Photography.)
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that more and more famous people seem to be visiting Knoxville these days? Case in point: the recent Equal Opportunity Awards Gala of the Knoxville Area Urban League. Not only was Knoxville actor Cylk Cozart given a lifetime achievement award, but his friends, actor Lou Gossett, Jr., and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, III, came to town to bestow it upon him. Oh, and the governor also dropped by.
Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Phyllis Nichols
This was very fortunate for those of us involved with the Urban League because I’m pretty sure having the celebrities on board was partly the reason for the sellout crowd that night. And I know it was the reason one of Moxley Carmichael‘s best clients, U.S. Cellular, opted to host a private reception at the event and flew in the company’s top executives, including CEO Mary Dillon.
The Knoxville Area Urban League, which was established in 1968, helps over 8,000 people each year attain self-sufficiency and social and economic stability. The Urban League’s work focuses on four specific areas: helping children succeed in school; increasing home ownership; developing a skilled and diverse workforce; and helping people start small businesses. (Two of those businesses, Bliss and Rita’s, both on Market Square, are among my favorite places to spend money!) The Knoxville organization is affiliated with the National Urban League and just this year received an award for getting a perfect score in the rating system used to evaluate affiliates.
The Knoxville Area Urban League’s president and CEO is Phyllis Nichols, who is considered a star within the national group. Not a year goes by that she is not recruited by another, larger affiliate. But her heart, fortunately, is here in Knoxville.
The Urban League’s Equal Opportunity Awards Gala is held every year on the fourth Thursday in October (mark your 2013 calendars!) and is an amazingly fun event. Without fail, it features dynamite entertainment that has the dance floor rocking as soon as the program is over.
In addition to Cylk Cozart, award winners this year included Michael Fox (Volunteer of Year Award); Brown Pearman Russell (Minority Business Award); and Sun Trust (Corporate Leadership Award).
Disclosure: I am the chairman of the board of the Knoxville Area Urban League. But that’s not why I’m saying all this. Trust me, this is one fun event. And just look at the great clothes!
U.S. Cellular CEO Mary Dillon, who flew into Knoxville for the event, poses during a private reception with Martin Luther King, III, left, and actor Lou Gossett, Jr. (Photo by John Black Photography)
Also at the reception, Gossett posed with local U.S. Cellular executives Tom Catani with his wife, Deanene, at left, and Jack Brundige with his wife, Jackie, at right. (Photo by John Black Photography)
Damon Rawls, president of the Urban League Young Professionals group here, poses with members of En Vogue, the evening's musical entertainment. From left, Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron and Rhona Bennett. Lucky guy! (Photo by John Black Photography)
Tearsa Smith was the emcee of the program. Here she poses backstage with Tom Catani, who is not only the vice president of reception sponsor U.S. Cellular, but also is a member of the board of the Knoxville Area Urban League.
Backstage before the program, board members gathered to be introduced. Here are Rosa Mar of Levi Strauss and Alvin Nance, CEO of Knoxville's Community Development Corporation.
Board members Frank Rothermel of Denark Construction and Debbie Stevens of the Lewis King law firm.
More board members, from left, Debi Welch of the News Sentinel, Avis Young of UPS, Tim Young of Summit Medical Group and Leigh White of WBIR-TV.
Bryan Stubblefield of First Tennessee Bank and Rosalyn Tillman of Pellissippi State.
Al Pirie of Uster Technologies, left, and Chris Powell of Scripps Networks Interactive.
From left, Orlando Diaz of Partners Development; Rita Geier, retired from the University of Tennessee; Sheldon Green of State Farm, Alan Hill of AT&T; and Christopher Jackson of ALCOA.
Scripps Networks produces the show every year, which is why it is so professional. This is Kristy Bruce, our producer, who tells everyone backstage what to do every year. She's small but tough!
The room was beautiful. Scripps also takes care of that. The Urban League's logo is a circle around an equal sign. (Photo by John Black Photography)
At the Moxley Carmichael table, state Rep. Joe Armstrong stopped by to greet Congressman Jimmy Duncan.
Morton and state Sen. Becky Massey
Warren Logan, left, is CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. He's with Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Jim Nichols.
County Commissioner Sam McKenzie, left, with Congressman Duncan.
Among those at the Summit Medical Group table were, from left, Jennifer Burke, Jeffrey Cupp, Tim Young and Kathy Darnell.
Summit's medical director, Dr. Randy Curnow, and his wife, Theresa.
Leadership Knoxville's Sandi Swilley
Jack and Jackie Brundige at the U.S. Cellular table
From left, Donna Diaz, Beverly Reeves, Orlando Diaz and Bill Reeves at the Partners Development table.
Here's Orlando Diaz, center, with Kevin and Polly Matherly.
Geraldine Cody and Joe Gallman
Our friends Dawn and Richard Ford with Congressman Duncan
John Miller with Shaun Fulco, center, and Lauren Christ, both of Moxley Carmichael
Gwen McKenzie, left, and City Councilman Dan Brown with his wife, Cathy.
Cynthia Finch, left, and Juanita Cannon
And then it was time for the program.
Historic photos of the Civil Rights movement made hearing from Martin Luther King, III, very poignant. (Photo by John Black Photography)
Lou Gossett, Jr., paying tribute to his friend, Knoxville's Cylk Cozart
Cylk Cozart accepting the award. He got a little choked up recognizing his mother, Bettie Ruth, who was sitting at a front table.
Phyllis Nichols with Governor Bill Haslam
Emcee Tearsa Smith of WATE had several wardrobe changes during the evening. She looks good in everything!
Her husband, Lucious Bonds, seemed to be as big a fan as the rest of us!
Here's Tearsa working it!
And then En Vogue took the stage and everyone was on their feet!
Deb and Dr. Joe DiPietro, the president of the University of Tennessee, enjoyed En Vogue.
Cindy Herron of En Vogue
Terry Ellis
Rhona Bennett
Mayor Madeline Rogero was documenting the scene.
Judge Mark Brown with Phyllis Nichols during the performance
Governor Bill Haslam chats with Mayor Madeline Rogero.
Lou Gossett enjoying the music.
Cylk Cozart and his mother, Bettie Ruth Cozart
Here's the dance floor.
Moxley Carmichael's Scott Bird, left, and Alan Carmichael enjoying the evening.
Thomas (Tank) and Terry Strickland
Rural/Metro Fire Chief Jerry Harnish and his wife, Dr. Duree Harnish. Rural/Metro sponsored the awards and Chief Harnish handed them out along with Martin Luther King, III.
Dean Michael Wirth of the UT College of Communications and Information with his wife, Alice
City Councilman Marshall Stair and his date, Angelena Whited
State Rep. Joe Armstrong and his wife, LeTonia
Do you think these folk are having fun? From left, Gay Lyons, Sam Maynard, Rosa Mar and Chris Kahn
How about these? From front to back: Kim Bumpas, Joy Russell, Leanna Belew, Mary Bogert and Eddie Mannis
Jay McBride with Cheryl Masur, left, and Marga Hayes McBride
Debbie Stevens, left, with Patricia Robledo and John Craig
News Sentinel reporter Lydia McCoy, left, with Phyllis Nichols
Leslie and Deborah Sanderfur
Theotis and Jonida Robinson
Chris Stokes of U.S. Cellular and his wife, Amy
Alan Carmichael and lawyer Ursula Bailey
Phyllis with some of her family members. Back row from left, her son-in-law Patrick and daughter Tiffany Powell, and her husband, Jim Nichols. Front row, from left, her sister Linda Reid, Phyllis, and her niece Brittany Reid.
Great job, Urban League staff! From left, Michelle Henry, Nichole Tillman, Phyllis Nichols, Brenda Roper and Ola Blackmon-McBride
Want to read more about the Urban League Gala? Click here for great front page coverage in the News Sentinel the day after the event. Click here for a story by Terry Morrow about Cylk Cozart.
Another fantastic event for the Knoxville Area Urban League. They are a model for Urban Leagues across the country, and this very popular annual gala is just one reason they are so successful in their mission. Thanks for bringing all the details to those of us who couldn’t make it.
Tami: You are so sweet to say these kind things. You and Bruce would love this event because it’s for a good cause, but it also is SO MUCH FUN! Not just another boring charity dinner/auction.
One of the best nights of the year in Knoxville! I was fortunate to be there and share a table with my colleagues (not to mention being in the presence of such greatness). En Vogue was the icing on the cake!
Great seeing you there, Jennifer! Thanks for coming. (Somebody had to keep Tim in line!) Those En Vogue ladies still have it, don’t they?
Of all the events to which we are invited throughout the year this is one of my favorites. It is always well done, fun and supports a great cause. Congratulations Urban League!
Thanks for coming, Dawn! It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without you and Richard! Can’t wait to find out who the entertainment will be next year!
This was my first year attending the event, and not only did it live up to all the hype, it exceeded my expectations. It really is a “party with a purpose,” as Phyllis says!
So glad you enjoyed it, Lauren! I was proud that Moxley Carmichael had three tables there. I didn’t see any of our competitors, which is a shame. They deserve to have as much fun as us!
I’m still very upset that I did not know En Vogue was the entertainment. I would have done whatever I needed to do to attend. 🙂
Cynthia,
Your words and pictures are magical. Thanks for capturing a wonderful evening – our “party with a purpose.” The Urban League is fortunate to have such great support from our board and the Knoxville corporate community, including Mox-Car!
Darm it, Modern Gal. I think you would have loved it. Those ladies really still have it.
Thank you, Phyllis! It sure was fun. It made me feel great to see so many folks there. Moxley Carmichael is very proud to be affiliate with the Urban League — and with you.
“Oh what a night” thanks for sharing your photos. It was a fantastic party for a fantastic organization masterfully managed by a fantastic staff.
How right you are, Rosa! Thanks for posting a comment.
You’re right — we’ve got lots of famous people visiting Knoxville and living right in our midst! Thanks for sharing all these pictures. For those of us not in attendance, it’s a chance to see what’s happenin’!!
Rusha: It was so much fun! You and Bert should consider it next year. Maybe we can put together an LK93 table. You know how we all like to party!
Fantastic event! The decor, the food, and the crowd are always fabulous. And then we get to dance–my favorite part!.
Amen, Gay! And we like to see you dance!
When the music’s that good, try stopping me from dancing! Amazing job the Urban League does at their work year round and at finding show stopping talent every year.
Agree, Gay.
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