It was an evening to be remembered as people came out, dressed for the occasion. This was the 66th Anniversary of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper, and the 13th Annual Gala held at the Liberty Station Conference Center.

With a mainly Black-Tie audience of men and women beautifully dressed, more than 300 people gathered, first for the reception. The lobby in which it was held provided a pictorial history for the newspaper with pop-ups of the current and past leadership as well as a display of some of the historical papers covering the paper’s history.

  • Good Shepherd Awardee, Rev. Donnell Townsend, Senior Pastor, Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church Credit: Rashad Autman
  • 66th Anniversary Talk Back_ Dr. John E. Warren (right) and Mr. Freeway Rick Ross (left) Credit: Rashad Autman
  • Credit: Rashad Autman

The evening was both eloquent and educational, from the presentation of the Buffalo Soldiers to the Black National Anthem and the historical clip on the Black Press.  Ms. Latanya West, Managing Editor of the paper, as Mistress of Ceremonies, provided a clear and distinct introduction of every aspect of the program and all its activities. The songs performed by Lisa Payton Harris and Carmelia “Toot “Bell, both as a duet and each as an individual solo, were deeply heartfelt by all present, and there were no complaints about the food.

Major highlights of the evening were both the “Talk Back” between Dr. John Warren, the Publisher, and Mr. “Freeway” Rick Ross. The entire program can be seen on the Voice & Viewpoint’s YouTube channel by searching: “San Diego Voice & Viewpoint 13th Anniversary Gala”.

The honorees this year were: Coach David Dunn, Head Coach, Lincoln High School Football, the Unsung Hero Award; Mr. Margaret Terrell, the Gerri Warren Humanitarian Award; Judge Euketa Oliver, the Judicial Excellence Award; Pastor Jared Moten, Blessed Assurance Baptist Church, the Good Shepherd Award; as well as Pastor Donnell Townsend, Pastor Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church, also receiving the Good Shepherd Award; the Changemaker Award to the San Diego Motorcycle Community Alliance; the Organizational Excellence Award to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and an Organizational Excellence Award to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the Publisher’s Award to Dr. Majid Shahbaz, M.D.

This was another successful Black History program at a time when there is a great need to be reminded of our history.