The theme for the evening was Promoting the Ideals of a Beloved Community and the co-hosts were Rebecca Copeland and Nolan Graves.
The guest speaker for the event was Eric Cunningham, superintendent for Halifax County Schools.
Cunningham is a native of Birmingham and received his bachelor and master’s degrees from Liberty University and his doctorate in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.
This year’s honorees were Ervin Griffin Sr., Pattie B. Cotton, Eddy Francis and the late James R. Walker Jr.
They were recognized for their many years of commitment and community service in Halifax County.
Charles E. McCollum Sr., president of the SCLC, presented the Legend Awards to Griffin, Cotton, and Francis.
Walker was awarded the Drum Major for Justice Postmortem Award.
Video interviews introduced each of the honorees.
Griffin told how his late father told him, “If you get it up there in your head, boy, no one can take it away from you.”
McCollum retraced the historical impact Walker made in Halifax County and surrounding areas. Walker was one of the first three African-Americans who graduated from the UNC School of Law.
Walker directed the United Voters League of Halifax County and fought for the rights of African-Americans to vote.
Cotton said as a little girl and even now she recites what her parents taught her, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
She also was a member of the United Voters League of Halifax County.
Francis joined Walker in many voting rights struggles and stated, “I was never afraid to stand up for civil rights then or now.”
The Gala Souvenir Book and the video of the honorees can now be purchased.
For more information contact Chris Kidd at 252-676-0018 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.