Black El Paso Voice

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Black Excellence in El Paso | 2026 Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Gala

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

El Paso Black Hall of Fame Announces 2nd Annual Black Tie Gala and Induction Ceremony 

EL PASO, TX – November 11, 2025 – The El Paso Black Hall of Fame (EPBHOF), driven by Black El Paso Voice/The Black Roundtable and founded by Monica Tucker of Black El Paso Voice, proudly announces its Annual Induction Ceremony and Gala Dinner. This elegant, black-tie event will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Starlight Event Center, offering a night of love, honor, and reflection as the community celebrates Black History Month and the national theme honoring a centennial of accomplishments.

 

A Night of Legacy and Action: Celebrating 2026 Inductees

The Gala, presented by El Paso Electric as the Title Presenting Sponsor, will formally induct 12 exceptional individuals and one foundational organization who have demonstrated a proven record of community service, exceptional professional excellence, and accomplished greatness.

The 2026 Inductees include:

  • Chief Jonathan P. Killings, MPA, FSCEO | Leader | First Black Fire Chief ~ El Paso, Texas (Lifetime Achievement Recipient)
  • Dana Harley Boyd | Transformational Educator | Leader | Principal, and Advocate
  • Dr. Sandra Braham | President and CEO Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) | Leader, Author, Strategist
  • Emmerson Buie, Jr. | Senior Director, Facility Security and Technology for Global Security Walmart, Inc., US Army Veteran | Former Special Agent in Charge, FBI
  • Karen Cooper Linen | Semi-Retired Nurse | Civil Rights Activist, Community Leader and Advocate
  • Reginald D. Daniel | US Army Command Sergeant Major (Retired), Community Leader | Veteran Advisor & Mentor
  • Dr. Patricia Marie Hills Davis | Distinguished Retired Obstetrician-Gynecologist, community leader
  • Pastor Michael E. Grady | US Army (Retired), Pastoral and Community Leader, Civil Rights Activist and Leader, Crimes Against Persons – Victims Advocate
  • Anna M. Harris Howell | US Army Veteran, Cancer Survivor, Community Leader, Servant Leader & Community Advocate, President – El Paso Commission for Women
  • Marc Perry | Legendary El Paso Club and Radio DJ, Consultant, Mentor, Assoc. Music Editor
  • Dr. Bernard Samuel | U.S. Army Veteran (Retired), Law Enforcement Retiree, Youth Empowerment Advocate, Leader, Owner: 3rd Generation Martial Arts Association School
  • Ron Stallworth | Retired Law Enforcement Officer, First Black El Pasoan- New York Times Bestselling Author from El Paso: BlacKkKlansman
  • Stephen M. Twitty | Lieutenant General (Retired), US Army, President, Twitty and Associates LLC, Strategic Business Consultant
  • Donald L. Williams | US Army Veteran | 2023 BEPV Lifetime Achievement Awardee, First Black Judge in El Paso | Attorney, Civil Rights Activist | Former Pres. EP NAACP
  • McCall Neighborhood Center | Legacy Foundation Builders, community cornerstone

Event Highlights and Featured Speakers

The evening’s atmosphere of elegance and honor will be amplified by the keynote address from Chief Zina Silva, Executive Assistant Chief of Police, who made history as the highest-ranking female in the El Paso Police Department.

The Gala will also feature a host of distinguished guests, including:

  • Jordan Sheffield, 2025 Black El Paso Voice Teen of the Year.
  • Montraviah Legg, 2024 Youth of the Year, who will deliver a special performance.
  • Wilbur “Bookie” Coleman, 2023 Youth of the Year, and founder of the nonprofit Bookie and Mommy’s Helping Hand, which feeds and provides meals to the unhoused and less fortunate; and his mother, Cheree Coleman, 2025 Inductee and 2025 BEPV Voice Pinnacle Awardee/Citizen of the Year.
  • Duwan Mason, Sr., 2025 Man of the Year
  • Bob Moore, founder of El Paso Matters.
  • Dr. Karen Twitty, former Fort Bliss First Lady and Finance Expert, Amplify El Paso and Black El Paso Voice Finance/Money Editor.
  • Charles Smith, 2024 Pinnacle Awardee. Owner
  • Andree Long, 2025 Faith Leader of the Year.
  • Ryan O. Adams, Black Culture, History, and Progress Podcast Host Ryan Adams – Beware The Day Podcast.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by DJ Becky, The AJM Collective, Jamal Streeter, and also performing, our Keynote Speaker: Exec Asst Chief of Police, Zina Silva – 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee, and others, ensuring a high-energy and celebratory conclusion to the induction ceremony.

The El Paso Black Hall of Fame is where Legacy Meets Action.

Ticket and Sponsorship Information

To purchase tickets, secure a table, or inquire about sponsorship and advertisement opportunities, please visit: www.blackhof.com 

Contact: 915.345.1661 – monica@blackelpasovoice.com or epblackhof@gmail.com

Investing in Project 2030

This annual Gala is the primary event highlighting Black El Paso Voice’s ambitious Project 2030, which aims to establish a dedicated Black Community, Cultural, and Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub in El Paso that stimulates the need for Black History and Culture education – all via our Black Excellence in El Paso initiative. By securing tickets, tables, sponsorships, and advertisements, attendees are directly investing in the future infrastructure needed for local business incubation, educational programs, and social equity in the community.

EP Black Hall of Fame Call for Nominations Extended

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Deadline Extended!

Nominations for the @epblackhof El Paso Black Hall of Fame are now open through Sunday, November 2! Help us honor #BlackLeaders and #trailblazers including BEPV’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Awardee – Chief Jonathan Killings of EPFD, who are shaping our community, submit your nomination today. www.blackhof.com

Save the Date:

  • Inductee Ceremony & Black-Tie Gala
  • Saturday, February 7, 2026
  • Starlight Event Center

This unforgettable evening benefits TBR and the Black El Paso Voice Community Initiative: Project 2030. Join us in celebrating excellence, legacy, and impact with Class 2026 of the El Paso Black Hall of Fame. This is a part of our Black El Paso Voice – Black Excellence El Paso Initiative.

Tickets available at www.blackhof.com

2025 Business & Community Awards Dinner – Ticket Deadline extended to August 5th

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El Paso, TX – July 19, 2025 | Click here to purchase tickets, sponsorships, or ads https://blackelpasovoice.com/2025awards/

On Saturday, August 16, the Black El Paso Voice Business and Community Awards will spotlight some of El Paso’s trailblazers, innovators, and community champions. The event, set for 6 PM at the EPCC Auditorium (Building A, 9050 Viscount, El Paso, TX 79925), promises an evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.

The program will feature a formal dinner, live entertainment, and an awards ceremony hosted by Rick Isaías, Communications Officer for the City of El Paso and a familiar face from the city’s annual Juneteenth Celebration. “We are thrilled to honor the extraordinary achievements of our community’s legends who unapologetically allow us to share in their business and community endeavors,” said Monica Tucker, founder of Black El Paso Voice and the event’s coordinator. “Our more rigorous vetting process ensures that each honoree truly exemplifies the highest level of dedication and impact.”

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Abeni Janae, an acclaimed young leader and arts advocate. A 2019 graduate of Andress High School, 2023 UTEP graduate, and 2025 UTEP master’s graduate in music composition, her journey is evidenced by her trailblazing accomplishments. She was recognized as one of UTEP’s Top Ten Seniors for the 2023-24 academic year, featured on Amazon Prime’s The College Tour in 2024 – Season 12, and is the youngest composer signed to Carl Fischer Music Publishing (NY) for her arrangement of the spiritual Hold on Just a Little While Longer. The UTEP Concert Chorale commissioned her work during the pandemic for the “Sing Hope Love” YouTube series, led by conductor Elisa Fraser Wilson.

Janae is not only a singer, songwriter, and educator but also a passionate mentor who believes El Paso has the potential to become a hub for musical excellence. She is dedicated to bridging cultural gaps through collaboration while leading her own music business, Abeni Janae Music.

The evening’s entertainment includes Tomas Arellano, educator, singer, History advocate, and others. 

Tickets and Sponsorships

Tickets are available. Deadline is extended to August 5.

Prices are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. Sponsorships Tiers include Platinum ($1,250, limited to one sponsor) and Gold ($750, two available). Packages include premium seating, advertising opportunities, and brand visibility.

“This event is a testament to the power of community and a chance to invest in El Paso’s grand future,” Tucker added. “From our Juneteenth volunteers to our rising leaders, this celebration honors the people who are shaping our city.”

Proceeds support The Black Roundtable and Black El Paso Voice News, avenues that have served as a crucial platform for initiatives, news, and information impacting Black and multiracial communities in the region since 1998.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit blackelpasovoice.com/2025awards or contact C’ri Roi at 915.345.1661 or croi@blackelpasovoice.com.

El Paso’s First Annual Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: A Historic Milestone

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 El Paso will mark a significant historical moment on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 5 PM, when the Starlight Event Center (6650 Continental Dr.) hosts the inaugural Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This significant event, created by Monica Tucker, honors El Pasoans who have made exceptional contributions to the community. The goal is to establish the recognition as an annual meaningful tradition based on unity and inspiration. Tucker carefully chose the inaugural class of honorees to exemplify a strong standard of excellence and lasting impact.

Beginning in 2026, nominations will open in September of each year, with eight individuals and one organization embodying diversity and collaboration being chosen annually. The committee overseeing the selection process consists of active and retired service members, community leaders, and business professionals who bring a wealth of experience, perspective, and dedication to ensuring the honorees truly represent the best of El Paso’s Black community.

Honoring the Trailblazers
The first group of inductees includes distinguished leaders who have shaped El Paso’s cultural, civic, and professional landscape. 

Inaugural Class Inductees

  • Juan O. Lawson, Ph.D, Prof. Emeritus (UTEP)
  • LTC (Ret) Cephus “Dusty” Rhodes
  • Maj. Gen. (Ret) Dana J.H. Pittard
  • Maj. Gen. (Ret) Edward W. Greer
  • Johnnie M. Washington
  • Cynthia D. Horton
  • Lillian W. Crouch
  • Cheree Coleman
  • Renard Johnson
  • Marian Bennett
  • Chief Zina Silva
  • Ouisa D. Davis
  • Dionne Mack
  • Frances Hills
  • Billy Townes
  • Aaron Jones
  • Alvin Jones

The ceremony will also include a heartfelt tribute to individuals who are no longer with us but whose legacies continue to inspire and resonate within the El Paso community.

A Musical Highlight
The AJM Collective, a dynamic group founded by Abeni Janae, a current UTEP Music graduate student, will provide the music for the evening. The ensemble is composed primarily of UTEP students and professional community musicians and singers. Their performance will add a vibrant and soulful atmosphere to this historic celebration.

Supporting a Vision: Project 2030
Proceeds will benefit The Black Roundtable (TBR), a nonprofit organization committed to serving as a cultural hub for the Black community in El Paso to include the quarterly roundtable discussions on various topics, and meetings with entities like FBI El Paso. Central to their mission is Project 2030, an initiative to create a comprehensive community center that will feature:
• A cultural arts, events, and study center
• Entrepreneurial incubator
• Educational programs offering classes on entrepreneurship, history, arts, financial wellness, and essential life skills for youth and adults

The Black Roundtable also seeks to foster cultural collaboration through programs like the upcoming Respect My Culture event, highlighting Afro-Latinx heritage and other diverse traditions later this year.

The new format for discussions was inspired by mentors of TBR who are no longer with us: Professor Dr. Maceo Dailey and Activist Twymeni Purchase. Both played pivotal roles in the relaunch of TBR and its pending expansion to a physical location, with many planned activities reflecting their invaluable input. Their contributions will be remembered and honored during the event.

Celebrate and Support
The community is invited to support this premier event honoring the achievements and legacies of El Paso’s Black community while supporting a vision for progress and unity. The Black Roundtable committee comprises active and retired service members, community leaders, and business professionals who work tirelessly to uphold the integrity and mission of the organization and its events and activities.

For more information or to purchase ads, sponsorships, or tickets, please contact Monica Tucker at monica@blackelpasovoice.com or 915.345.1661. You may also visit TheBlackRoundtable.com.

TICKETS Pre-Sale through January 31st

  • INDIVIDUAL: $100 per person After January 31st – $125 (General Seating)
  • TABLE FOR 10: $1000 After January 31st – $1250 (Reserved Seating)
  • INAUGURAL SPONSORS: $3500 (Reserved Table Seating for 10) (Three (3) Available)

Click here for more Information, tickets, sponsorships, advertising:  monica@blackelpasovoice.com | 915.209.1850 Deadline: Noon | February 14, 2025

This historic evening promises to be an unforgettable celebration of legacy, diversity, and forward movement. It is a milestone for El Paso that will serve as a pathway for youth and young adults as El Paso progresses.

Sigma Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Invites You to Celebrate 112 Years of Friendship, Fellowship, and Service

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Sigma Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., is thrilled to announce its upcoming Achievement Week, marking a significant milestone in the fraternity’s history – 112 years of camaraderie, community service, and impactful fellowship. As part of the celebrations, Sigma Tau Chapter invites you to join us for a night of festivity and reflection at our Founders Banquet, to be held on November 18, 2023.

 

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, founded in 1911, has been a beacon of friendship, fellowship, and service to mankind for over a century. The 112th anniversary is a momentous occasion, symbolizing the enduring commitment of the fraternity to uplift communities and foster strong bonds of brotherhood.

 

Event Details:

What: Founders Banquet – Celebrating 112 Years of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

When: November 18, 2023

Where: Tuscany Halls | 8600 Gateway Boulevard East #Suite A2 El Paso, TX 79907

Time: 7PM – 12AM

Tickets: Available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-banquet-tickets-709568667987

 

The evening promises an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie. Attendees can anticipate an exquisite dinner, engaging conversations, and a formal program that pays tribute to the fraternity’s rich legacy. Following the formal segment of the banquet, the dance floor will open, allowing guests to revel in the spirit of celebration.

 

Sigma Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., cordially invites the community to participate in this historic event. Please note that no tickets will be sold at the door, so we encourage everyone to secure their tickets promptly via Eventbrite.

 

White ParTee on the Green | El Paso, TX Chapter of the Links, Inc.

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Via The El Paso, TX Chapter of the Links, Incorporated.

“Have a business or a cause? Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in scholarships for students and service programming efforts. Become an event sponsor or “swing” your marketing items into our Swag Bags!!
Proceeds from “White Par-Tee on the Green” will also benefit The Links Foundation, Incorporated, a non-profit corporation operating within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Contact us at epclinksinc@gmail.com for details!”

Juneteenth Events

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Black El Paso Voice is excited to kick off Juneteenth events with our El Paso Community College partnership. We are providing an informational and educational view into the importance of the observance and celebration, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at Noon. This is a virtual learning experience and we invite you to join in on sharing the knowledge.

Take a look at other events around the city.