ATTORNEY WILLIE E. GARY IS KEYNOTE FOR LOCAL CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL GALA
BY LATOYACARTER
L-R: Tracey Washington, TEMPO News Sales Executive, Willie Gary “The Giant Killer”, Attorney & Event Keynote Speaker, and Johnny Hunter, Sr., Co-Publisher TEMPO News. SEE MORE SCENES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND WEBSITE.
The phrase “I believe the children are our future!” was personified during Lincoln Memorial Academy’s Inaugural Trailblazers and Trendsetters Awards Gala, held Friday, April 12th. Supporters of the event were serenaded with sounds of R&B classics as the LMA ambassadors (students), greeted each guest with overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm. Lincoln Memorial Academy, which was chartered July of 2018 has literally experienced its own “David and Goliath” challenges; however, no one seemed to be more determined to achieve greater things than the students of this charter middle school. This SOLD OUT event is the first, but not the last for LMA, as they believe that every child has an obligation to explore his/ her full potential. Led by its CEO, Eddie Hundley; LMA paid homage to those that have come before and paved the road for the leaders of tomorrow with this year’s extravaganza. The gala honored four local heroes…Gwendolyn McElroy, Trojan Legend; Vincent Foderingham, Business Trendsetter; Rodney Jones, Humanitarian Trendsetter and lastly, Charlie Kennedy, Education Trendsetter. Each honoree expressed his/her gratitude for being recognized, but what seemed to be a reoccurring theme, was each honoree’s overwhelming pledge to ensure that he/ she committed whatever necessary toward LMAs success. The keynote speaker for the gala was celebrated attorney and philanthropist Willie E. Gary. Delivering a message with the theme of “Who is qualified”, Attorney Gary has earned the reputation as “The Giant Killer” by taking down some of America’s most well-known corporate giants on behalf his clients. Winning some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S. history his legal career and tireless work has been well documented on “60 Minutes”; “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “The Early Show with Bryant Gumbel” to name a few. Attorney Gary challenged those in the audience to take the fate of their lives in their own hands and exam “who is qualified” if anyone to stop his/her ability to achieve his/her dreams. Speaking of his meager beginnings, Attorney Gary, told an audience of adults and children, that the way their life begins doesn’t have to be the way their life ends. Furthermore, had he considered his challenging upbringing, those who were not qualified to provide guidance would have discouraged him from achieving his goals. So as a result of his hard work, discipline and belief in himself; Mr. Gary accomplished goals and experienced a level of success many could only dream of. Attorney Gary pledged to partner with the Academy to help each child reach his/her full potential.
“You have to study hard; work hard and make it happen. There are no free rides and no one is going to give you anything, but you can be successful,” said Attorney Willie Gary. “You can make it happen.”
Lincoln Memorial Academy staff and students embrace the belief that they are only as strong as the community that supports them; which was evident during Friday evenings gala. Those in attendance were encouraged to give by going to the Academy’s website and signing up for anyone of the school’s donation contributory. The community is also encouraged to stop by Lincoln Memorial Academy for a tour or “meet and greet” with its CEO Eddie Hundley during school hours Monday thru Friday. All donations are appreciated and can be donated by going to www.lmatrojans.org and clicking on “donations”. No donation is too small to help a child attending this amazing institution.
