The stars were aligned this past Saturday at the East Texas Gala of Hope at Henderson Civic Center

The East Texas Gala of Hope "The Stars Are Aligned" at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center, and Henderson Texas - Texas College Alumni Chapter was an amazing event gala. The masters of ceremony were Attorney Dan Sorey and Carlton Allen, with the Keynote Speaker being Anissa Centers.

Clarence Edmond Shackelford attended the East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope WoPhoto byPhoto by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center.Photo by(C) 2023 by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

This evening of fundraising and honoring spotlights and trailblazers throughout the East Texas area.

Pioneers that were honored was Dr. Jeanette Calhoun the Executive Director of the East Texas Cares Resource Center of Tyler, Texas, Adrian Davis the president of the Henderson, Texas Alumni Chapter and Helen Johnson the director of the House of Hope Womens Shelter, located in Longview, Texas.

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo by(C) 2023 - Photo by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

15 people was Spotlights at the East Texas Gala of Hope for their work in the community of East Texas. Each of the Spotlights including Clarence Edmond Shackelford - Artist, Photographer, Videographer and founder of the Texas African American Museum of Tyler, Charlie Walker - Owner Charlie's Snoball & Seasonal Tanning of Kilgore, Dorcas Dunlap-Jackson - Principal of Ned E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy of Longview, Dewayne Blaq - Program Director of The Blaze Radio of Tyler, Deshawn Harris - Owner of Kali Kuts Baber Shop of Tyler, Amanda Wallace - Assistant Superintendent of Personnel & Policy - Henderson ISD in Henderson, Peggy Rosbury - Vice President Texas College Alumni Chapter - Henderson, Norma Lewis - Rusk County Tax Office Deputy Clerk of Henderson, Dr. NaTasha Crain - Principal of Jones Elementary Tyler ISD of Tyler.

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo by(c) 2023 by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

Also other Spotlights include LaTane Davis - First grade teacher at Ned E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy of Longview, Jake Martin - Chief Marketing & Communications Office at Texas Collège of Tyler, Gwen Stoker - with Texas Bank and Trust of Longview, Leisha Kidd-Brooks - Enviromental Health Manger of Longview, Kara Sharman - Director of Human Resources at Kilgore College in Kilgor, and Gloria Mays Washington - Executive Director of the Texas African American Museum of Tyler.

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo by(c) 2023 by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

The night also honored Trail Blazer - Chud D. Halton, Sr., Trail Blazer - Beverly J. Brown, Trail Blazer - Robert Kuykendal, Trail Blazer - Michael Coleman, Trail Blazer - Chief Todd Hunter, Trail Blazer - Courtney G. Prutt, Trail Blazer - Rogers Pope, Jr., Trail Blazer - Stacia Runnels, and Trail Blazer - Councilman Wray Wade.

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo by(c) 2023 by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

The event also very special recognition went to Debbie Maxey received the In Memory of Ronny Maxey Humanitarian award Jennifer Wright received the Stronger Together Surviving Breast cancer award, Rosie Davis received the East Texas Queen and Mother award for her services and acts of kindness throughout the East Texas area. 

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo by(c) 2023 by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo byClarence Edmond Shackelford

East Texas Gala of Hope 2023 at Henderson Civic Center that benefitted the House of Hope Women’s Shelter, East Texas Cares Resource Center,Photo by(c) 2023 by Clarence Edmond Shackelford

Sources: https://empowermentcdc.org, TourTylerTexas@gmail.com, and easttexasgala2023@gmail.com

Prepared by M1Y Media - Clarence Edmond Shackelford - TourTylerTexas@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Clarence Edmond Shackelford