Submitted

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis African-American Museum and Cultural Center (KAA-MaCC) will kick off its Fifth Anniversary with a celebratory black-tie gala on Saturday, October 6, 2018, in the Kannapolis Laureate Center. The theme for the evening, and at all times, is “Continuing The Quest For History Untold.”

The museum continues to focus on African American history in communities throughout Cabarrus and southern Rowan County, NC. Proceeds for the gala will support the fifth anniversary year, including KAA-MaCC’s new History Collection initiative to promote local history collection for youth education. Three components of this initiative includes a Junior History Detectives Program, a Historical Banners Program, and a Black History Program Series. Founder and Board Chairman, Dr. Ruby L. Anthony-White is certain that these programs will help youth and adults to learn more about each other in addition to appreciating and respecting cultural differences. KAA-MaCC seeks to inspire, educate, and enrich communities through activities that will enhance the quality of life in Cabarrus and southern Rowan County.

The KAA-MaCC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will highlight five individuals in three categories. Mr. Warren Clay Coleman, entrepreneur, will be inducted posthumously in the Legacy Hall of Fame for his significant and extraordinary contributions made in Concord. Maestro Travis W. Alexander, the Celebrity inductee, is a renown director, piano and music history professor at the North Carolina A&T State University. The three Lifetime Achievement inductees include: Dr. Barbara Wesley Baker, internationally noted conductor and educator; Mrs. Bettye McConnaughey McLaurin, educator; and Mr. Stephen L. Shipp, entrepreneur, Shipps Fire Extinguisher Sales and Service in Concord.

The Honorable Mayor of the City of Salisbury, Al Heggins, will serve as the mistress of ceremony. Reverend Dr. D. B. Cannon, executive director of The AME Zion Church Department of Global Missions and Editor-in-Chief of the Missionary Seer, will be the speaker.

The venue for the Fifth Anniversary Gala is the Kannapolis Laureate Center, located at 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis. Festivities will begin with the Hall of Fame VIP Reception (4-5:30 p.m.). Doors will open for guests to enjoy the silent auction (5-5:45 p.m.) and the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. followed by after-dinner dancing.

Sponsorship opportunities and/or souvenir journal advertisements are available. For supporters who cannot attend, underwriter opportunities are also available to take advantage of the gala’s promotional opportunities. A sponsorship proposal with details is available at https://www.kaa-macc.org/services.html).

Donations of $100 per person include the Hall of Fame VIP Reception with honorees and special guests, silent auction, dinner/induction ceremony, and reserved seating at the after-dinner dance. General Admission of $50 include the silent auction, dinner/induction ceremony, and after-dinner dancing. Tickets are available for purchase by calling the KAA-MaCC Administrative Office 704-925-1314 or the KAA-MaCC website (https://www.kaa-macc.org/

donate-online.html). Methods of payment for admission to the event include cash, check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. The deadline to purchase tickets is October 1, 2018.

Attire for this event is black-tie optional.