The Nashville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) recently solidified their effort to show unity across multiple generations and backgrounds by hosting the ‘Coming Together-Unity in Action’ Life Membership Luncheon at the Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College. During the event local leaders were recognized for their significant commitment to unifying the Nashville community.
Those recognitions included four President’s Awards to recipients, including: Nancy Nichols, Don Majors, Dr. Blondell Strong Kimbrough and Gordon Larkins—as well as four Legacy Awards going to: Rosetta Miller Petty, Walter Searcy, Ben Rechter and Isaac Addae. The Dr. Charles E. Kimbrough Medal of Honor was received by Judge Richard Dinkins.
Each award represented the highest honor and esteem granted for the recipients’ tireless work within the community. The President’s Award is presented to a member of the Nashville Branch who has gone above and beyond to support and perpetuate the work of the organization, in the past year. The distinguished awards were well received and much appreciated by the recipients.
Legacy Awards are given to an individual who creates positive, impactful change with a measurable difference within the greater Nashville community. This individual should exemplify the tenets of the NAACP to ensure political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
The Dr. Charles E. Kimbrough Medal of Honor is presented to an individual who has an established history of dedication to the protection, advancement and/or promotion of all people, while exhibiting leadership and providing inspiration to those around them within a specific organization or the community at-large.
The program included performances by Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church’s Praise Team, Miles Slay and Tyler Samuel. The event garnered significant support from various areas of the community. Sponsors included Belmont University, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Meharry Medical College, Doctors James & Phyllis Hildreth, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Vice Mayor David Briley, Giarratana Nashville, duGard Communications, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, Nashville General Hospital, DVL Seigenthaler, Bill Freeman, Citizens Bank, Tennessee Minority Pages (TMP) and the American Baptist College.
“Seeing everyone today demonstrated that Nashville has the heart and desire to be a unified city,” said Ludye Wallace, president of the Nashville NAACP Branch. “With multiple generations represented, we heard how important it is that we speak truth to one another and that we encourage our youth to continue the fight for the advancement of all people. We stood together, today, in what is the first of several actionable steps towards a unified Nashville.”
For further information, visit the official website at www.naacpnashville.org.
