In a night filled with laughter, recognition and the savory aroma of soul food, the 21st Annual Black Heritage Gala illuminated the rich tapestry of African American culture showcasing the contributions of individuals in the arts and honoring community leaders who have made a lasting impact.
Hosted at HCC’s Trinkle Center, the gala unfolded as a celebration of resilience, creativity and unity, with attendees gathering to honor the achievements of their peers and pay homage to the legacy of black heritage.
At the heart of the event was a lineup of talented performers, which included Tampa-based songstress Lena Morisseau, who sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as “The Black National Anthem,” and Vanessa Williams’ “Save the Best for Last.” The keynote speaker was DeWayne Hill, whose witty humor and crafty magic tricks elicited roars of laughter from the audience.
HCC President Martin Clay also shared a message with the audience, his words a message of reflection and hope. “Let’s honor the past, celebrate the present and envision a future where every individual is valued, respected and empowered to thrive,” he said.
Since 2003, the Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. has sought to enrich and educate the community on the contributions of African-American culture through the weekend-long Black Heritage Celebration.
Adding a flavorful touch to the festivities, the gala chairperson, Sharon Moody, personally prepared a sumptuous feast for the hundreds of guests in attendance. Drawing on cherished family recipes and culinary traditions passed down through generations, Moody crafted a menu that included soul-stirring classics such as pigs’ feet, collard greens, rice and cornbread.
Maurice “Mo” Billington, the event’s master of ceremony, joked that Moody easily persuaded him to volunteer at the event in exchange for some of her home cooking. “I’m working tonight for a pan of pigs’ feet,” he said.
In addition to the gala, last weekend’s events included a jazz festival, gospel concert and youth summit, where future generations learned about the contributions of those who came before them and the importance of becoming a generation who makes a positive impact on society.
“We are the caretakers of our culture,” said Moody.
Award recipients included:
The Heritage Award recipient is Bernice McDaniel, a dedicated servant of God who at 93 still uses her cooking and sewing skills to serve others in the community. In fact, her lemon pound cake was one of the desserts served at the gala.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Michael E. Cook, United States Army Reserves and his wife, Colonel (Ret.) Cynthia E. Cook, United States Army Reserves. Both honorably served their country in leadership positions, their myriad of awards and decorations a testament to their love of country and their community service is a testament to their love of community.
The Community Service Award recipient is Theodore “Ted” Alex, who has worked closely with Unity in the Community to help the residents of Plant City.
The Humanitarian Award recipient is Retha Mae Cooper, a lifelong resident of Plant City who serves as director of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Food Pantry and attends the Plant City Police Department’s community meetings.
