Reverend Dr. C. Robert Finch, Presiding Elder
Mrs. Mary T. Jones, Gala Chair Person                                Mrs. Gwen Fugh Dillihunt, Event Coordinator

NEWS RELEASE

                                                Contact:   Florence Howard, 901-827-0836
                                                                            Rev. C. Robert Finch, 901-832-4626

NORTH MEMPHIS DISTRICT OF A.M.E. CHURCH
TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL LEGACY AWARDS GALA
ON APRIL 10

         Eleven pioneers and foot soldiers of local Civil Rights Movement to be honored

 (MEMPHIS, Tenn. – March 27, 2009) – In April, the North Memphis District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will present its Third Annual African American Legacy Awards, honoring 11 heroes of the civil and human rights movement in Memphis and throughout the United States .  The black tie event will be held Friday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Memphis Marriott East, 2526 Thousand Oaks Boulevard .  For ticket information, call (901) 626-6070 or (901) 483-6553.

            This year’s theme is “Celebrating Foot Soldiers in the Fight for Social and Economic Change and Justice.”   Special guest speaker will be Pastor Laurence Plummer of Love Fellowship Ministries who is also president of Plummer Financial Services. 

            Honorees for the 2009 Legacy Awards Gala recognizing are Rev. Dr. Bill Adkins of Greater Imani Church and Christian Center, Dr. Warner Dickerson of the Memphis Branch NAACP, H.A. “Art” Gilliam of WLOK-AM (Gilliam Communications), Judge W. Otis Higgs, former Shelby County Commissioner Minerva Johnican, Judge H.T. Lockard, Judge Betty Thomas Moore, Rev. Keith Norman of First Baptist Church-Broad, Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours, Jesse Turner, Jr. of Tri-State Bank of Memphis and, posthumously, the late Rev. James Gleese, former presiding elder of the North Memphis District AME Church. 

###