By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

This year, the MLK Gala will honor veteran Henry Reed for his military service.

“We are stretching out to include Port Arthur and Beaumont,” Chair Maqueittia ‘Denise’ Ledet said. “We have Geary Senigaur for our Keynote Speaker.”

Senigaur is part of Stop The Violence in Beaumont.

Ledet added vendors are on hand starting at 5:30 p.m.

“The vendors will be open from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.,” Ledet said.

Music will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring Brisco Lake and Nikki Richard.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to mix, mingle and support local vendors.

The program will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

This is the last year Ledet will chair the event.

“It is time to pass it on,” Ledet said.

Next year Durrell and DeShawnda will co-chair the event.

Miguel Gobert will also speak about the importance of men in the household and mentoring the youth.

There may be some surprises to the winners in some categories but according to Ledet, each person is a winner.

“They are all winners,” Ledet said. “To be the top three in a category makes them each winner.”

Ledet said approximately 8,000 votes were cast to determine the winners and many more were nominated.

“The Gala gives the community a chance to honor the people they want to celebrate,” Ledet said. “The person could be an unknown, behind the scenes, so there are some unexpected winners.”

Blossoming Minds MLK Gala 2019 – Take the Lead: Be Heard begins at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Orange Expo Center, at 11475 Farm to Market Road 1442 in Orange.

Tuffy’s is catering.

To sponsor a table, call Ledet at 409-330-0807. To purchase tickets, visit https://orangemlkgala.eventbrite.com