NAN Hosts 14th Annual “Keepers of the Dream Awards”

By Doshon Farad
Less than a week after holding its convention, the National Action Network hosted its 14th Annual “Keepers of the Dream Awards” in New York City on April 18th in the lavish ballroom of Cipriani Wall Street. The “Keepers of the Dream Awards” was established to honor those who have committed themselves to fairness and racial harmony. They are given each year in April to mark the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death whose iconic career was centered on such principles.

Past honorees of the “Keepers of the Dream Awards”, among many others, have included: Coretta Scott King, Cicely Tyson, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Wyclef Jean, Johnnie Cochran, Myrlie Evers Williams, Sean “P-Diddy” Combs and Phil Griffith  who is the head of MSNBC.

This year’s highlighted gala event that was hosted by MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall, honored Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Karla Ballard, Chief of Strategic Development, Media and National Partnerships One Economy, Richard Parsons, Chairman of Citigroup and the former Chairman and CEO of Time Warner, and Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment. Philanthropist and actor Dr. Bill Cosby delivered the keynote address. During his brief remarks Cosby emphasized to African-Americans the importance of unity. “The time is now for self-reliance” he said. While stressing united efforts, the iconic actor referenced the Jewish community as a good example of self-help. “They build their own schools, hospitals, and banks. What’s stopping you?” He continued by encouraging African-Americans to accept personal responsibility. “You must understand that you’re being set up as you keep blaming someone else . . . we should not be waiting for others to do for us.” Towards the end of his address Cosby asserted, “For 400 years our fore parents have been waiting for us to accept the challenge.”

At the conclusion of the awards NAN President Rev. Al Sharpton briefly addressed the gathering. The Reverend expressed gratitude to the award recipients for their work in the community and stated to everyone, “You have more responsibility than your own success. The only thing someone should be saying is that you made a difference.” Sharpton referenced King by saying, “We remember King because he stood in the gaff and made a difference.”

As with all NAN events, this year’s gala was attended by a wide range of luminaries and dignitaries alike, ranging from Georgetown University Professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson to New York City Comptroller John C. Liu to BET Reporter T.J. Holmes to television Judge Greg Mathis to actress Tatiana Ali.

Ms. Ali told YOUR BLACK WORLD, “I thought it was amazing. I was here for my friend Karla Ballard. It was my first time at this event and it was just absolutely beautiful”.

The ceremony officially concluded with a mini-concert put on by R&B sensation John Legend.