In 1985, Gerald Mason coordinated a football game to raise funds toward scholarships for Chattanooga’s inner-city youth.
“I’ve always worked with young people professionally all my life,” he said. “When I got here, I missed working with kids. This community has so many young people that are graduating from high school, but they don’t have resources to go to college.”
Following a successful effort, Mason worked with Beasley Distributing and Anheuser Busch to develop a Night To Remember, a local gala featuring premiere musical headliners.
Now in its 23rd year, the 2010 event features R&B star Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds as the special guest. Opening act will be one of Edmonds’ older brothers, Kevon Edmonds, who’s notched success as a solo act and as a member of soul group After 7.
The benefits of A Night To Remember are fiscal, charitable and social. Mason said he takes a lot of pride in the diversity of the event.
“It’s probably the best integrated social event this community ever has,” he said. “One of the things that hinders this community is that we don’t have a lot of opportunity, socially, to eradicate barriers.”
Primary beneficiaries this year are 100 Black Men, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Girls Inc.
The organizations were chosen both on their need for support and their involvement in helping to promote the event. A board of directors evaluates the kind of contribution each organization makes to the community.
“All three serve inner-city children in different ways,” said A Night to Remember chairman Irvin Overton.
The mission of each group, he said, accords with the organization’s mission.
The average revenue for A Night To Remember is $50,000 a year. A sell-out is anticipated.
IF YOU GO
What: A Night To Remember.
When: 7 p.m. today.
Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St.
Admission: $75.
Phone:265-0021.
Web site: www.anighttoremember.org.