Hundreds of residents gathered to celebrate the arts at the annual community awards program and fundraiser to support the Fine and Performing Arts Center of North Tyler.
“This is one of our fundraisers to help renovate the space so we can host events like this,” said LaToya Jordan, director of the Empowerment Community Development Corporation. “It’s also about raising awareness of North Tyler and working toward the development of a cultural arts district starting with the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard area.”
The second annual Leadership in Community Impact Awards event will gather supporters Dec. 11 at the Beretta and Jesse Ryder Fine and Performing Arts at the Texas African American Museum, 309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. It was a boon to the center. in tyler.
“In 2024, the Center hosted more than 45 culturally rich community events in its first year of operation, making a significant impact on East Texas communities and fostering a thriving arts scene,” said Stanley Cofer, Empowerment CDC Board Chair. said.
The event, themed “A Seat at the Table,” featured awards, speeches, and networking. Attendance doubled from last year, including keynote speaker Michael Coleman and representatives from Jarvis Christian University and East Texas Baptist University.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Empowerment Community Development Corporation (CDC), the museum’s parent organization, the project is a bold effort to revitalize North Tyler’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. We are at the forefront of breathing new life into our communities.
“Our goal is to create a beautiful facility that people can rent to host events and display art,” Jordan said. “Funds raised at this event will help complete this project.”
The Veretta and Jesse Rider Fine and Performing Arts Center provides a space for the next generation of artists to explore and develop their creative potential, and serves as a foundation for showcasing the performing arts.
“Having an event like this in North Tyler would mean a lot to the community,” Jordan said. “We want to be able to offer different things that youth can participate in, like music classes and art classes, because at the end of the day, youth are our future. We have to stay focused.”
The organization hosts community events throughout the year, including various festivals where people come together to celebrate and support local culture, but it’s always rewarding to bring together leaders and recognize their contributions to the community. It’s an experience.
The 2024 Person of the Year honors Jim and Margaret Perkins of the James I. Perkins Family Foundation for their significant contributions to the community.
“Those are two great pillars of our community, supporters, donors, and servants, and it means so much to us to be able to honor and recognize them today,” Jordan said. .
The Leadership Award for Community Impact recognized the contributions of several local leaders. Award recipients include Dr. Grenell M. Lee Pruitt, CEO of Jarvis Christian University; Jennifer Moore Gaston, Editor-in-Chief of TYLER TODAY Magazine. Pamela B. Irwin, CEO of Pamela Irwin & Associates. Nancy Rangel, president and CEO of the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance; Kristen S. Harris, CEO, Family Circle of Care; and Lisa Abrahams Opekes, co-owner of the Holiday Inn Tyler – Conference Center.
Additional honorees were Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co.; Dr. J. Blair Blackburn, CEO of East Texas Baptist University. Leroy Francis Sr., CEO of Community Funeral Home Tyler. Patrick Stacey, KLTV 7 Vice President and General Manager. Garnet Brookshire is co-owner of the People’s Oil Building and Plaza Tower.
“Your generous support of the Veretta and Jesse E. Ryder Fine and Performing Arts Center strengthens the expressive power of artists, nurtures local talent, strengthens the cultural vibrancy of our community, and supports our future. “It will have a lasting impact on generations,” Cofer said.
The organization is seeking continued support from the community in the form of funds, supplies and volunteers to help complete the project. The Empowerment Community Development Corporation’s efforts always need volunteers, but securing funding is now a top priority.
The Texas African American Museum is located on two acres with room for future expansion. Renovation work has been carried out since last year, with finishing touches being carried out on the bathroom and currently work being carried out on the walls, ceiling and doors.
About $250,000 is still needed to complete the project. The organization is open to working with contractors, architects and others and encourages them to contact us for a meeting.
“Even when we leave, we want to continue this project. We’re just laying the foundation,” Jordan said. “We ask the community to help us with this project, which can help the community in the future.”
