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KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis African-American Museum and Cultural Center (KAA-MaCC) celebrated its fourth year as a nonprofit organization on Oct. 7 at the Laureate Center in downtown Kannapolis. The anniversary theme of the VIP Reception and a silent auction, dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was “Continuing the Quest for History Untold.”

Beginning at 5-6 p.m., the venue for the VIP reception was the Kannapolis Train Station, 201 S. Main Street in Kannapolis. Doors opened at 5 p.m. at the Laureate Center for the silent auction, and dinner/program and induction ceremony that began at 6:30 p.m. was in The Laureate Center ballroom, at 401 Laureate Way.

The KAA-MaCC president and chief executive officer, Jacqueline Anthony, welcomed guests and introduced the master of ceremony, Larry White Sr., founder and chief executive officer of VIP eVENTS Concierge of Annapolis, Maryland.

The Master of Ceremony engaged the audience and presented KAA-MaCC board member Larry B. Johnson, who brought the occasion. The Honorable M. Darrell Hinnant, mayor of the City of Kannapolis, brought greetings, and shared information on the Downtown Revitalization Project and economic opportunities with Amazon. Recognition of the KAA-MaCC board of directors and corporate officers  was presented by board member James A. Gaither. The Master of Ceremony presented plaques to sponsors and recognized special guests. Rev. Dr. William McKenith led the invocation and blessing of the food. Silent auction winners were announced by Walter L. Richardson Jr.

KAA-MaCC’s anniversary celebration highlighted inductees into the Hall of Fame for three categories: Legacy Hall of Fame, Celebrity Hall of Fame, and Lifetime Achievement. The inductees included: Dr. Levi Alexander Gibson (deceased) into the Legacy Hall of Fame. Dr. Gibson was the first African-American medical doctor in the Centerview community of Kannapolis. Kristina L. Roberts, (“ZANE”) writer, author and publisher of Strebor Books/Atria Books/Simon Schuster, who began her writing career in Kannapolis. There were three inductees into the Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievements: Clarence Eugene Caldwell, keyboard player and manager of the El Roccos, the first popular rock ‘n’ roll band in Kannapolis, and a church musician for over 70 years; Rosella E. Caldwell, a retired educator, missionary, philanthropist, and community leader in Kannapolis; and Walter L. Richardson, Sr. (deceased), the first African-American nightclub owner and sponsor of live celebrity musical entertainment in the Bethel community of Kannapolis.

Following the induction ceremony, remarks by KAA-MaCC founder and board chairman Dr. Ruby L. Anthony-White, M.D. were given. Dr. Anthony-White encouraged guests to tell their stories, share memorabilia for display in the museum, and visit the NC Music Hall of Fame. President Anthony thanked the participants and guests for supporting the anniversary. The organization is thankful for continued support from the public and from sponsors of the KAA- MaCC Fourth Anniversary celebration.

The mission of KAA-MaCC is to collect and preserve the history and culture of African-Americans in Cabarrus and southern Rowan County.