Originally scheduled for Feb. 4, the Connecting Excellence in Business, Community and Education banquet has now been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25.
The banquet is hosted by the Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center organization and will honor and recognize excellence in the local community. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Main Street Intermediate School.
“Black History Month is a celebration, but it is also a reminder that black history is American history, and black culture is American culture, and we should honor the trials of African-Americans,” said Jennifer Harris, board president. “Proceeds will go towards the reconstruction of a replica of the Dickey House.”
Although the event is a fundraiser to support building a replica of the home of Dr. James Lee Dickey, which burned to the ground in July, Harris said is not just about money, the banquet has a deeper purpose.
“It’s about celebrating and recognizing the achievement of the African-American entrepreneurs in our community and bringing them to the forefront,” she said.
Two Entrepreneur of the Year Awards from the 2023 Connecting Excellence Cohort, an organization being created by Nakevia Miller, vice president of the Dickey Museum board, will be presented to black-owned businesses in the area.
“The core space is going to be listening sessions and storytelling sessions about their experience as entrepreneurs, just for the sole purpose of asking them how they want to be helped,” Miller said.
The banquet will also feature a soul food dinner, music and a vendor fair from 6 to 7 p.m. Cultural attire is encouraged.
Tickets are $15 each and $5 for ages six to 18. For more information, call Harris at 512-296-6109.
