Equal Opportunity Day / Annual Fund Campaign
Every year, the Urban League uses this event not only as one to display its importance in the community, but to highlight the importance of empowering disadvantaged people to enter the economic and social mainstream. Equally as important, the event is also an opportunity to honor individuals in the community who do astonishing work to assist the Urban League in its mission.
Pam Lackey, president of AT&T in South Carolina will be this year's keynote speaker. Mrs. Lackey has been employed by AT&T, formerly BellSouth, for nearly ten years. Before taking over as president, Mrs. Lackey previously oversaw the company's public policy strategies in regulatory, legislative, and community affairs activities in the state. Mrs. Lackey's message represents what the Urban League is conveying in its theme for this year's event: Self Empowerment: See it. Claim it. Achieve it. Many of the community's humanitarians and civic leaders will be in attendance.
President and CEO, James T. McLawhorn believes that the Equal Opportunity Day Dinner is important because, "The quest for equal opportunity should be kept on the front burner because it demonstrates that although we have made progress in this area, we still have a way to go. It also provides an opportunity for us to salute individuals, who through their humanitarian efforts, have empowered others and changed lives."
When asked how this year's Equal Opportunity Day Dinner theme applied to his life, Tigeron Wells, an empowered citizen and past participant of the Urban League's youth programs replied, "Never limit yourself by the world's expectations. Visualize yourself at your finish line, whatever that may be. Claim it by believing that it is possible and you are worthy. Then, work to attain your goal." Brenton Brown, a part of the steering committee for the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals replied, "The theme applies to my life in that I sincerely believe that if a person can visualize the places they seek to go in life then they can realize it as well. We must continue to enhance our faith with works. While it may not be easy, it is definitely possible."
Long-time Urban League employee, Beatrice McKnight, advises "both young and old, to get involved in their communities and churches and become assertive and vigilant advocates for eradicating barriers that would otherwise prevent equal participation into mainstream America."
This year's award honorees will be:
The John H. Whiteman Award is named in honor of charter board member and educator John H. Whiteman. This award recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of a current or former board member. The recipient of this award is Mr. David Wallace, a CUL Chartered Board Member. This award is being presented in recognition of Mr. Wallace's longtime commitment and support of the Columbia Urban League as a Charter Board Member.
The Lincoln C. Jenkins, Jr. Award is given in honor of the charter board member, civil rights attorney, and Municipal Court Judge, Lincoln C. Jenkins, Jr. This award recognizes a trailblazer in promoting equal opportunity and social justice. The recipient of this award is Charlene Keys, is Vice President of Operations and Voice for Time Warner Cable's, South Carolina Division. This award is being presented in recognition of Mrs. Keys' professional achievement and community leadership as Vice President and General Manager of Time Warner Cable.
The Virgil C. Summer Corporate Citizens Award is named and given in honor of the former Board Member and past Chairman of SCANA, Virgil C. Summer. This award recognizes exemplary achievements of a business or company that has made corporate responsibility an integral part of their business. The recipient of this award is Clente Flemming, President & CEO of SC Community Bank. This award is being presented in recognition of Mr. Flemming's leadership and outreach efforts, as President and CEO of the South Carolina Community Bank, in making banking services more accessible to the underprivileged.
The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award is named and given in honor of the past President of the National Urban League. This award recognizes a trailblazer in promoting equal opportunity and social justice. The recipient of this award is Attorney Hemphill Pride, II of the Law Firm of Hemphill P. Pride, II. This award is being presented in recognition of Attorney Pride's long history of leadership and advocacy in promoting equal opportunity and social justice for the disenfranchised through the legal system.
The Ethel M. Bolden Community Service Award is given to an individual, corporation, or organization that has made noteworthy contributions to the community. The recipient of this award is Carl and Mary Brown of the South Carolina Foster Care Parent Association. This award is being presented in recognition of Mr. and Mrs. Brown's years of leadership, advocacy, and service towards empowering foster care children and parents.
The Presidential Citation is given in recognition of outstanding leadership and commitment to promoting equal opportunity and leveling the playing field. The recipient of this award is Dr. Gail Morrison, Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. This award is being presented in recognition of Dr. Morrison's leadership and advocacy in promoting state-wide partnerships in higher education and making the arts more accessible to the community.