KAA-MaCC Hall of Fame Induction Reception

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 21, 2018

By Post Lifestyles

Submitted

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis African-American Museum and Cultural Center (KAA-MaCC) Inc. celebrated its fifth year as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization on Oct. 6, 2018 at the Laureate Center in downtown Kannapolis. The anniversary theme, “Continuing the quest for history untold.”

Beginning at 4  p.m., the venue for the Hall of Fame VIP Reception was in The Laureate Center ballroom three. Doors opened at 5  p.m. for general admission guests to peruse the silent auction items, and the dinner/program and induction ceremony began at 6:15 p.m. in The Laureate Center ballrooms one and two, located at 401 Laureate Way.

The KAA-MaCC Founder and Board Chairman, Dr. Ruby Anthony-White, welcomed guests; Walter L. Richardson, Jr., KAA-MaCC Treasurer, introduced the mistress of ceremony, the Honorable Al Heggins, City of Salisbury; and Dr. Larry B. Johnson, KAA-MaCC Board Member, brought the occasion to 165 guests that attended the gala celebration.

Mayor Heggins presented The Honorable M. Darrell Hinnant, Mayor of the City of Kannapolis, brought greetings and provided an update on the Downtown Revitalization Project and economic opportunities. She also engaged the audience by recognizing the KAA-MaCC Board of Directors and Corporate Officers along with sponsors and special guests.

Rev. Dr. William McKenith led the invocation and blessing of the food. Following the dinner hours, silent auction winners were announced by KAA-MaCC Board Member, James A. Gaither.

The ceremony started with Jacqueline Anthony, KAA-MaCC President/CEO, introducing the anniversary speaker, the Reverend Dr. Dwight B. Cannon, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief for The Missionary Seer, The AME Zion Church Department of Global Missions. Dr. Cannon encouraged the guests to talk about themselves, their families and relations to learn about each other and pay honor and respect to those who have gone before us, and to those who are contributing in many positive ways.

Following the anniversary message, Mayor Heggins commenced with the ceremony by presenting the five honorees for induction into the KAA-MaCC Hall of Fame. Warren Clay Coleman (business pioneer, entrepreneur, civic leader from Concord,) posthusmously received the KAA-MaCC Legacy Award. KAA-MaCC Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to three individuals: Stephen Leroy Shipp (business pioneer, entrepreneur, first African-American Battalion Chief from Concord), Betty Sue McConnaughey (educator, administrator, consultant, civic leader from Kannapolis), and Dr. Barbara Wesley Baker (international conductor, music educator, choral arranger from Kannapolis).

Maestro Travis W. Alexander (concert organist, international conductor, pianist, tenor from Kannapolis) was the recipient of the KAA-MaCC Celebrity Award. The honorees were well-known for their outstanding achievements and work performed in their respective fields.

Special guests included the Honorable M. Darryl Hinnant, City of Kannapolis; the Honorable Al Heggins, City of Salisbury; Mrs. Ella Small, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Concord; Judge Ernest Frye and Dr. Shirley Frye, retired Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court; Dr. Vergel L. Lattimore, President, Hood Theological Seminary; Dr. William Greene, Past President, Livingstone College; Mr. Willie Deese, Independent Director of G1 Therapeutics Inc.; Dr. Jodi D. Turner, Associate Director of the Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion at UNC-Charlotte; Mrs. Cynthia Revels-Young, General Superintendent of the Buds of Promise Juvenile Society, Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society, The AME Zion Church; Dr. Joy L. Kennedy, General Coordinator of the Young Adult Missionary Society, Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society, The AME Zion Church; and Ms. Leslie Kesler, Senior Library Assistant, Concord Branch, Cabarrus County Public Library System.

In her remarks, Founder and Board Chairman, Dr. Ruby Anthony-White thanked the public for for their support and to the guests, a special thank you was given to the many families and friends of the honorees who traveled far and near. Dr. Anthony-White gave special thanks to the KAA MaCC Board and President/CEO, Jacqueline Anthony for their dedication and perseverance over the past 5 years. President Jacqueline Anthony noted and thanked the sponsors, donors, and staff who helped to make the successful event. She reminded the guests to watch for KAA-MaCC’s upcoming events and next the sixth anniversary celebration on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.
KAA-MaCC is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization with a mission of collecting and preserving the history and culture of African-Americans in Cabarrus and southern Rowan County.

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