Record Staff Report
30th annual African American Catholic Leadership Awards Dinner will recognize people who have been of service to the community and those who have “blazed a trail” in cultural enrichment, education and formation.
Eighteen people from a variety of backgrounds, professions and parishes will be honored at the March 11 dinner. The program will begin at 6 p.m. at the Galt House Hotel, 140 North Fourth St. The event will open with a silent auction at 5 p.m.
The keynote address will be given by Kevin E. Lofton, CEO of Catholic Health Initiatives in Denver. Lofton, who has served in a variety of leadership roles in the health care industry, has “a unique perspective on the problems facing the nation’s health care system,” according to a news release from the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Multicultural Ministry (OMM), which organizes the dinner.
The OMM will present its highest award — the Acacia Award — to four people. The honor recognizes “years of service, support and fidelity to the African American community,” the news release said. This years Acacia Award winners are:
- Sister of Loretto Pauline Albin, a retired educator who served at the former Christ the King School in West Louisville.
- Tanya Beauchamp, a registered nurse and a health and wellness educator.
- Msgr. Edward Branch, a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and formerly a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
- Steve Crump, a reporter for WBTV in Charlotte, N.C., and a documentary film maker, who in the past belonged to the former St. Peter Claver Church.
“Over the years, we have greatly benefited from the leadership, service and contributions to education, our local community and nationally through their diligent efforts to provide outreach and care to our African American community,” the release said.
The OMM will also present the Genevieve Boone Award to Belonda Hays of St. Monica Church in Bardstown, Ky., and Marvina Lewis of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The award honors “trailblazers in the areas of cultural enrichment, education and formation from an Africentric perspective,” the release said.
Eight people will receive African American Catholic Leadership Awards for their service in the African American community.
Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for African American students to use for secondary and post-secondary education.
Four young people will receive scholarships this year, called Rodriq McCravy Awards. There will be two eighth-grade recipients and two high school recipients recognized at the celebration March 11.
Tickets for the celebration are $70 and must be purchased in advance by calling 471-2146.
