Urban League to salute Tenenbaum with ‘roast’ and recognition for public service
A big portion of “roast” will be on the menu tonight at the Columbia Urban League’s Annual Community Gala at the Radisson Conference Center. State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum will be the evening’s honored guest and a target of opportunity for guest speakers who will arrive equipped with good-natured barbs.
“Our Board of Directors wants to recognize Mrs. Tenenbaum’s commitment to children and her outstanding record of public service,” said James T. McLawhorn, Jr., Urban League president and CEO. “But we’re planning an evening of fun and entertainment, too. We are definitely going to have a good time.”
Tenenbaum, who is in the final year of her second term as state superintendent, is a former schoolteacher, attorney and State House researcher. Thursday’s line-up of roasters will reflect the full range of her career. In addition, there will be video remarks from former governor and federal education secretary Dick Riley, Congressman James Clyburn and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.
Christi McCollum, former State Teacher of the Year, also will speak, along with Molly Spearman, executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. Rounding out the roster of roasters will be attorneys Bill Boyd and Steve Morrison, and Emerson Gower, board chairman for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
McLawhorn said the gala will begin with a 6:30 p.m. reception. Columbia Mayor Bob Coble will have welcoming remarks for the program starting at 7:30. Proceeds from the event help fund the Columbia Urban League’s youth development programs.