Group also hopes to add a 2nd Hazel Hatcher scholarship winner, increase amount recipients receive
The Legacy of Success Foundation met on Dec. 3 at an organizational brunch to begin planning its 10th annual Heritage Celebration in February.
The annual celebration, held during Black History Month, is the group’s biggest fundraiser contributing to its Hazel Hatcher Scholarship Fund. This year LOSF members hope to add a second scholarship recipient and double the amount of the annual award.
The 2010 Heritage Celebration will be a black tie dinner on Feb. 27 at the African-American Museum in Fair Park, the first time the event will be a black tie affair, according to Jai Makokha, executive director of LOSF and the organization’s first scholarship winner.
"It will be like the Oscars with a red carpet," Makokha said, adding that the gala is an "award ceremony to highlight specific contributions to the well being of LGBT people both locally and nationally."
He said that in addition to its annual event in February and the Linen Brunch in August, Legacy of Success sponsors two monthly groups.
"People of color don’t always talk about things that make us healthier people," he said. The monthly meetings are intended to remedy that.
Chris Davis, former executive director and now board chair, created LOSF’s successful men’s program called The Set. They meet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at the South Dallas Cultural Center. That event attracts about 70 men each month to discuss coming out issues and spirituality, Makokha said. The goal is personal empowerment and increased community involvement.
House of Glamour, a women’s group, meets from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Catfish Blues on Corinth Street, also on the third Sunday of each month. Makohka said that 30 to 50 women regularly attend.
Kendy Haynes and Starr Gassney coordinate House of Glamour. Makokha said their group focuses on relationship issues that they discuss over cocktails and lunch.
The goal of Legacy of Success is to empower the LGBT community of color through social activism and economic growth and works to eliminate homophobia among African-Americans, Makokha said. Legacy of Success, formed in 2001, grew out of an earlier organization, Best of Company, which presented an annual Black History Month program for the LGBT community.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 4, 2009.