The African American Heritage Society of Williamson County (AAHS) hosted its 21st annual Black Tie Affair Sunday at Embassy Suites in Franklin.
The theme of the event was “Keeping Hope Alive.”
The first Black Tie affair thrown by AAHS was in 2002, which celebrated the opening of the McLemore House African American Museum in Franklin. The organization completed its second renovation of the museum in December.
“Hope was kept alive as we all faced the many challenges of the last couple of years but managed to save another historic home from demolition, the Merrill-Williams home in the historic Natchez Street district,” the event’s program read. “For 21 years, the citizens of this community and the guests who support this awesome night continue to keep hope alive for AAHS.”
The event, which usually has close to 800 people attending, had 500 this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was sold out months in advance.
Speakers Saturday included AAHS President Alma McLemore, emcee Levi Ismail of News Channel 5 in Nashville, Brentwood Historic Commission board member Inetta Gaines and a member of the event’s featured pioneer family, Leah Williams.
Williams’ fourth great-grandfather, Nelson Wilson Sr., was enslaved by a white Scottish-Irish family in the early 1800s on the Ravenswood Plantation in Brentwood. With the help of her mother’s stories, Ancestory.com and historical documents she gathered, Williams collected the information necessary to share her family’s story with the world via an exhibit at the Williamson County Public Library Special Collections Department that ran through February. She was honored at the event and dedicated her award to her mother.
“I didn’t know [Wilson Sr.], and I do not know all of the details of his life, but I can imagine what he experienced and endured in his lifetime, and deep in my soul, I know he imagined me and all of his descendants living a very different reality than his own,” Williams said.
The presenting sponsor of the event was Mars Petcare. There were over 20 sponsors, and both Franklin and Williamson County governments wrote statements congratulating AAHS on the organization’s celebration.
“As we gather together, let us be mindful that we face struggles together, yet we are also able to celebrate together and share one another’s accomplishments, no matter how small or large,” Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson wrote in a statement. “Congratulations on keeping hope alive for the McLemore House, and may this serve as a reminder of all you hope for in the future. Together, the hope becomes a reality.”
The African American Heritage Society annual awards were also bestowed at the Black Tie Affair.
Big Shakes Hot Chicken & Fish and Pinkerton Transportation received the Business Award, Lamont Turner received the Civic/Business/Preservation Award, Annette Lane received the Civic Award, Anika Exum received the Communication Award, Donzaleigh Wattley Phillips received the Education Award, Franklin Justice and Equality Coalition received the Organization Award, Elder Roosevelt Conway and Pastor Anthony Maurice Johnson received the Religion Award, Limestone Baptist Church received the AAHS Volunteer Award, and Emily Magid, Jeffery Caruth, Kenneth Green, the Tennessee Historical Commission, and Calvin and Marilyn Lehew received the AAHS Preservation Award.
A three-course dinner was served, and Julius Fisher and the Genius Band provided music. The night ended with dancing.
