Black History Month Dinner and Awards Celebration
Each year, the Georgia Museum of Art hosts its annual Black History Month Dinner and Awards Celebration. The theme of the event corresponds with the national theme selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This event has become one of the museum’s most popular programs. Two awards are presented each year at the event.
The Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Award honors a living African American visual artist with a significant Georgia connection in an effort to raise his or her profile. Known nationally for their advocacy of African American art and artists, the Thompsons endowed a curatorial position at the museum and donated works aimed at supporting the museum’s mission of diversity and inclusion in American art. The museum subsequently named this award in their honor. Past recipients include Leo Twiggs (2019), Freddie Styles (2018), Larry M. Walker (2017), Emma Amos (2016), Amalia Amaki (2015), Charles Pinckney (2014) and Harold W. Rittenberry (2013).
The Lillian C. Lynch Citation honors an African American leader who has made a significant contribution to African American cultural education and service. The late Ms. Lynch was a charter member of the Athens chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She was dedicated to the arts and was an advocate for cultural education in the Athens and Northeast Georgia community. Past recipients include Lemuel “Life” LaRoche (2019), Lillian Kincey (2018), Althea Natalga Sumpter (2017), Michael C. Thurmond (2016), Natasha Trethewey (2015), Jeanne Cyriaque (2014) and Rudolph Byrd (2013).
Your support through sponsorship and attendance helps us continue to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of African American artists, scholars, educators and activists.
2020 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration
The 2020 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration was held February 28 at the Georgia Museum of Art, honoring Kevin Cole with the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Award and John H. Morrow with the Lillian C. Lynch Citation. The 2021 event is tentatively scheduled for February 26.
2020 Sponsors
$10,000 – Presenting Sponsor
Anonymous
$5,000
Lacy Middlebrooks Camp & Tom Camp
$2,500
Todd Emily
Kathy Prescott & Grady Thrasher
Kendell & Tony Turner
UGA School of Law
Corporate Sponsor
$1,000
Agora Vintage
Mae & Louis A. Castenell Jr.
Lisa & Bill Douglas
Jennifer & Gregory Holcomb
Becky & David Matheny
Janet & Alex Patterson
UGA Office of the President
$500
Mary & Michael Adams
Athens (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
June Ball
Dr. Linda A. Bigelow
Sige Burden Jr.
Shannon & Peter Candler
Howard Elkins
Freda Scott Giles
Bree & Richard Hayes
M. Jean & Thomas P. Lauth
Brenda & Ham Magill
Libby V. & C. Van Morris
Drs. Diane Batts Morrow & John H. Morrow Jr.
Sherrie & Stephen Olejnik
Monica & Sylvester Parker
Jinx & Gordhan Patel
Mary Lillie Watson & Ray Watson
Carol S. Williams
Event Partners
The Athens Printing Company
Guide2Athens
Perryander Studio
Terrapin Beer Company
Photos
2020 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos
2019 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos
2018 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos
2017 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos
2016 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos
2015 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos
2014 Black History Month Dinner & Awards Celebration photos