The Equal Opportunity Awards Gala
While the Gala is our most significant fundraising event of the year, it also is significant because it affords us the opportunity to celebrate our Volunteer of the Year, Minority Business, and Corporate Leadership award winners.
And, the evening is always a celebration to remember, with good food and fellowship and top-flight music provided by acts such as the Whispers, the Spinners, and the Temptations.
The Gala also provides an excellent opportunity for networking with top area business professionals, and an investment in a corporate table is a good investment for local businesses.
The event, produced by Scripps Networks, is described by guests as “like no other in Knoxville.”
Awards
Corporate Leadership
Recognizes a company, governmental agency or entity that has shown sensitivity to diversity, employment trends and/or special program involvement and support of the Urban League and its mission.
Past Award Recipients:
2008: U.S. Cellular
2007: Moxley Carmichael
2006: Scripps Networks
Minority Business
Recognizes a minority-owned business that has made an economic as well as a social impact in the community.
Past Award Recipients:
2008: Premiere Building Maintenance Corporation
2007: Unity Mortuary
2006: Visionary Solutions, LLC
Volunteer of the Year
Salutes an individual who has made a significant impact on the programs and services of the Knoxville Area Urban League and the community.
Past Award Recipients:
2008: Tammy Strader, Denark Construction
2007: Mike Simmons, Kim Jones and Joe Austin, First Tennessee Bank
2006: Lenissa Mostella, University of Tennessee, Office of Equity and Diversity
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Lifetime Achievement
The most prestigious of all Urban League Awards, this award is named to honor the fourth executive director of the National Urban League (1961-1971). Mr. Young worked tenaciously to forge new alliances and coalitions to build bridges of understanding among the races.
Past Award Recipients:
2008: Robert Booker, Former legislator, author and historian
2007: Margaret and Felix Gaiter, Community volunteers
2006: Dr. Robert Harvey, Interim President, Knoxville College
To view the pictures from the Gala click here
