By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer
Bright and early last Saturday morning, the Blue Heart Foundation hosted their 18th Annual Blue Heart Christmas Breakfast. However unlike previous years, they had special guest Morris Chestnut as the Keynote Speaker that came out in support of young adult men eager to pursue higher education.
To kick off the awards, a hearty Negro National Anthem was sang by the youth of Blue Heart, directed by Tammy T. Blevins, Board Vice President. The presentation of awards followed and were MC’d by the current youngsters of Blue Heart.
The recipients were Wilson Kennedy, Mentor of the Year; Community Activists, Nate Howard, Jasmin and Misty Jackson, Brian Ware, and Dr. Ricky Shabazz; Billy Moore, Father of the Year; D4 Game Changers, Gloria J. Cooper and Jennie Hamilton; Local Businesses of the Year, Makeda “Dredd” Cheatom and Dr. Michelle R. Thompson, and last but certainly not least, Dr. John Warren of Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper recipient of The Tracy R. Morris Legacy of the Year Award, given on behalf of the recently deceased Founder of the Blue Heart Foundation, Tracy R. Morris.
A few remarks were given from Mentor James Crawford on Tracy R. Morris and his legacy intended for the Blue Heart Foundation. The Blue Heart Foundation is all about, “building community by providing a secure and equitable path to higher education, emotional health and character development for young African American males.”
Live Entertainment was brought by Erisa Nichol with her interactive saxophonist performance, getting the audience up on their feet and grooving along to the jazzy tunes she provided.
Up next, Keynote Speaker Morris Chestnut, known from his iconic role as Ricky Baker from Boyz n the Hood and more recent role in Hulu Series’ Reasonable Doubt as Corey Cash, gave the young men of Blue Heart advice that they can carry with them for their lifetime.
“Always be brutally honest with yourself, stay true to who you are, and treat people with respect, those go a long way. ‘Hi, Hello, Please, Thank you’ go a long way. Do not forget to do the simple things in life.”
The young members of Blue Heart took these words as inspiration and gave a passionate and lively step performance that shook the whole stage and brought parents, aunties, uncles, and cousins to their feet, feeling no choice but to step and clap with them.
With proud parents, deserving award recipients, and the now-inspired guests after Chestnut’s speech, there was nothing left to do but to eat. Provided and catered by Nelly’s Kitchen, a delectable breakfast was served buffet-style filled with eggs, sausage, bacon, chicken and waffles, potatoes, and beverages to match.
The awards continued and CEO Matthew Gordon of Blue Heart Foundation was introduced, announcing his stepping down of leadership and transitioning Tammy T. Blevins as the new Executive Director of the Blue Heart Foundation.
After silent auction winners were announced, raffle drawings made, and more donations accepted from the attendees for the continued success of the foundation and its endeavors, the 18th Annual Blue Heart Christmas Breakfast came to a close.
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