KING-KENNEDY DINNER

Getting in the spirit

Black Democrats’ King-Kennedy awards dinner is like a revival meeting

It seemed not so much an awards ceremony as it did a church service -- one of those tent revival types that no one would dare sleep through. After honorees waxed eloquent with their Scripture-filled acceptance speeches, the keynote speaker -- a minister and an ordained itinerant elder in the AME Church -- had listeners yelling and clapping their enthusiastic responses to her white-hot message.

Thus went the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus's 11th annual King-Kennedy Dinner, which took place Tuesday at the Metroplex in Little Rock. A VIP reception preceded the dinner.

The program kicked off with a comedic welcome from state Rep. Monte Hodges of Blytheville who took a selfie with the audience in the background. Rep. Reginald Murdoch of Marianna offered greetings before Vince Insalaco, chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, waxed fiery himself with his charge to Democrats.

The night's award recipients included Crystal Barker, Phillis N. Anderson, Abraham Carpenter, Jr., former state Rep. Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV, Clevon Young, Cleveland K. Wilson and Regina Stewart Hampton.

Rae'Vyn Britt of Arkadelphia, a student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, received the caucus's Outreach Scholarship.

O. Jerome Green, president of Shorter College in North Little Rock, introduced the evening's speaker, Gwendolyn E. Boyd, the first female president of her alma mater, Alabama State University, and former national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Boyd referenced the 50th anniversary observance of the march in Selma, Ala., to discuss the continuation of the struggle for civil rights for black Americans. "We don't need to get comfortable, because the journey is not complete," she said, mentioning recent headlines that brought up the issues of racial as well as gender equality. "We've got to re-engage and re-fight for our civil rights that we thought we had already gained."

Kasey Summerville, president of the caucus, gave closing remarks. Summerville, who has served a year longer than she'd intended, had herself been honored by staff members earlier in the program.

The King-Kennedy Dinner was established in 2005 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to their communities and the state. It's also the main fundraiser for the caucus.

-- Story and photos by

Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 03/22/2015

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