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The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture honored three supporters of the arts at its 32nd annual Jazzy Holiday Luncheon Friday at the Westin. The sold-out event attracted 500 guests including arts patrons, philanthropists and businesspeople.
After an introduction by the center’s namesake, former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, current Mayor Anthony Foxx presented each recipient with a wooden vessel designed and crafted by master wood turner Charles Farrar.
Receiving the Gantt Center Legacy Award were Charlotte-based Belk department store; community leader and retired arts educator Jeanne M. Brayboy; and On Q Productions’ Artistic Director Quentin “Q” Talley.
Jessica Graham of Belk charmingly worked in her acceptance speech that she hoped the guests would add a little modern, Southern style to their holiday (Modern. Southern. Style is Belk’s catchphrase).
Talley brought everyone to their feet with a poetry rap that included the funny line “(This award is) for those of you who say I love what you’re doing, but I haven’t seen you in the theater yet.”
And Brayboy quoted a moving poem about how if you have two loaves of bread, sell one to buy hyacinths to feed your soul. “My soul is fed every time I visit the Gantt,” she said.
Olivia Fortson
