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.
