KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Area Urban League hosted an annual gala Thursday night, honoring community leaders who helped make sure the Knoxville community provided equitable opportunity for everyone.
Organizers said tickets for the 2023 Equal Opportunity Awards Gala were sold out, and it turned out to be their largest gala yet. It went from 5:30 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Knoxville Convention Center.
The gala gave out awards for notable figures in minority businesses and corporate leadership. the Urban League also gave out Whitney M. Young Jr. Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Attendees could enjoy a meal and entertainment from Morris Day and The Time. "Pimpadelic Funkmaster" also performed some musical favorites. Proceeds from the event went to help empower students, entrepreneurs and people of color in the Knoxville community.
"We call this event a party with a purpose, and so we are here to have a good time but also to recognize a good cause as well," said Charles F. Lomax Jr., the President of KAUL.
The Urban League also plans to host a free community health event on Nov. 11, where people can go to get COPD lung screenings, carotid ultrasounds, visceral fat measurements and more. They will also be able to explore job opportunities with the University of Tennessee Medical Center or ask questions about their medications.
It will last from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. at KAUL, located at 1514 E. Fifth Ave.