In 1988, two distinguished Morehouse men, Robert H. Bolton ’86 and Hardy R. Franklin. Jr. ’83 (nicknamed PD), conceived the award-winning “A Candle in the Dark” Gala. The first Gala was held on February 18, 1989, as part of the school’s 122nd Founders’ Day Celebration.

The Gala was named “A Candle in the Dark” because that is the title of the official history book of Morehouse, written by my former French teacher, alumnus Edward A. Jones ‘26—in order to illustrate the college’s strong ties to its history. This black-tie affair highlights the college’s traditional mission, pays tribute to some of the nationally acclaimed black men who are considered giants in their respective fields, and showcases the talents and accomplishments of Morehouse students. This event also serves as a major annual fundraising event generating revenue for the institution’s endowed scholarship fund.

The honorees are presented with either a “Candle or “Bennie” award. Today the award is two of the nation’s most coveted awards. “Bennie” recipients, who are required to be graduates of Morehouse, received recognition in the categories of service, achievement, and trailblazing. The award is named in honor of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, who served as president of Morehouse from 1940 to 1967, and is considered a legend among alumni. “Candle” recipients are honored for excellence in a variety of fields including athletics, business, education, entertainment, government, law, the military, religion, and science and technology.

Debra and I were invited by one of my best friends, Internationally famous, renowned trial attorney and first African- American partner at New York’s most prestigious law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison, multi-millionaire Jeh Charles Johnson to be his guest at the Gala. Jeh was this years Bennie Service Award recipient. Other honorees included: Willie J. “Flash” Davis ’56 Prominent Criminal Defense Attorney; Harold A. Dawson, Sr. ’63 Distinguished Entrepreneur and Real Estate Developer and Chairman and CEO, Harold A. Dawson Company; Kwame Anthony Appiah, Distinguished Author and Philosopher and Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor of Philosophy, Princeton University; Robert L. Johnson, Entertainment and Television Pioneer and Chairman,, Black Entertainment Television; Ed Bradley, Award-winning Journalist and Senior Correspondent for CBS “60Minutes”, Keith L. Black, Director, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute and Division of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California at Irvine.

We attended all of the VIP activities and met all of the guest. It was a real treat to meet Ed Bradley and Robert Johnson. Both gentlemen had interesting stories to tell. One of my favorite activities was the panel discussion. Each of the honorees was invited to attend and tell how they became successful. It was wonderful. We left after the panelist finished telling their stories. We had an appointment with Jane Fonda’s friend, Buckhead Realtor, Pam Yarbrough. My kids, ages 8, 9, and 11 when they start college will be attending my alma mater Morehouse College, and Spelman College. We have been searching for a good deal on a Condo in Buckhead to buy for them to live in when they each reach their junior year. We were lucky enough to be introduced to a great agent, Pam Yarbrough, Senior Marketing Consultant for Harry Norman Realtors. Elizabeth Jackson Hodges, daughter of former Atlanta Mayor, Maynard Jackson and her husband, my bestman, C. Howie Hodges II introduced us. Pam found us a great deal on a two bedroom two bath condo, golf course, tennis, and a swimming pool in a gated Buckhead community etc. Debra was the one she had to sell. I was already familiar with how wonderful the Buckhead community is. Debra was finally convinced that Buckhead is to Atlanta, like Beverly Hills is to Los Angeles. We looked at several condos and decided on one. We returned to Pam’s office. I had a check folded up in my side pocket attached to my drivers license with a rubber band. I filled out the check, handed it to Pam and jokingly said, “Now tell your coworkers that you just sold a condo to Jed and Ellie Mae Clampett. She laughed and took the check.

The Awards Ceremony in the Centennial Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday night hosted by Emmy Award- winning star of film and stage, Lynn Whitfield was wonderful. I was so proud of my friend Jeh. He purchased twenty-seven tickets ($200.00 a seat). Also among Jeh’s invited guest was Spike Lee’s best friend Dr. John Wilson ’79 (Bennie Leadership Award recipient in 1998); and Attorney Robert Mallet ’79 (Bennie Leadership Award recipient 2000). We were honored to sit at the table with his parents, sister and kids. I kept thinking about how far God had brought us. I remember when we would tear a dorm room apart looking for an extra quarter so we could buy an extra piece of Church’s Fried Chicken.