The Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce and 430 guests celebrated “70 Great Years” and the Founding Members of the Chamber on Friday evening, November 21, 2008 at the 6.5 acre Downtown Marriott Plaza San Antonio. The Gala’s attire was black tie, and the audience came beautifully adorned in formal gowns and tuxedos.

Gala guests were lavished with two receptions. A VIP reception sponsored by USAA, in the Cavalier Room and Patio, greeted guests with soft jazz performed by Lady Brenna Griffin, tray passed white gloved service of wine and hors d’oeuvres, and great networking; and a Fountain Reception in the Atrium Hidalgo Fountain candle lit area, with spirits and sinuous sounds of music.

The Silent Auction in the Primavera Room, just off from the Hidalgo Fountain, was the place where one would find the beginning essence of excitement in the air…the Silent Auction attracted most everyone with wonderful gifts for pleasure, comfort, and beauty; an added experience to the Gala, creating a festive climate.

Guests enjoyed a dynamic opening as the Sam Houston High School Color Guard presented the American and Texas flags, and guest soloist, Gloria Coleman (Los Angeles, CA.), performed the National Anthem and led all in a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (The Negro National Anthem) accompanied by the Grateful Geezers Band (Houston, TX). Attorney Camille Stearns Miller served as the Mistress of Ceremonies; Chamber Chairperson Theresa Britts, CPA, and Jeremy Bergeron, V.P.-Insurance, Valero Energy Corporation, resiliently welcomed guests; and Reverend Otis I. Mitchell, Pastor of Mount Zion First Baptist Church, provided an invocation. Following dinner, the program was brief and informative, sharing the good news on the Chamber’s past (Ed White, Jr., Sr. V.P.-Com. Lending, Sterling Bank); present (Gwendolyn P. Robinson, Chamber Executive Director) and future (Theodore Guidry, II, V.P.-Risk Management, Valero Energy Corporation).

Of course, distinguished awards were presented to include Spurs Sports & Entertainment, Inc. (Peter M. Holt, Chairman), Corporate Partner of the Year; PRA Destination Management (Della Guidry, President), Small Business of the Year; and Paul Foster, President of Foster CM Group, Inc., the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Chairperson’s Award was conferred on Yolanda Miller, former Chamber secretary; and the Executive Director’s awards were presented to Ed White, Jr. for 20 years of dedicated Chamber board service, and to AT&T (Michelle Harris, VP External Affairs) for 20 years of outstanding commitment and support of Chamber programs and services.

The Grateful Geezers were then unleashed, live/hot “get on the floor music” had guests on their feet dancing the night away.

Here are a few sound bites from guests: “an outstanding event,” we learned things about the Chamber that we didn’t know – what an outstanding history,” “the gala was a fun evening,” “the band kept us on our feet,” and “the silent auction had something for everyone.” That sounds like success!

Many thanks to Gala Chairman, Theodore Guidry, II, for his skillful leadership; to the committee that served under his direction; to Valero Energy Corporation as the Presenting Sponsor; to USAA as the VIP Platinum Sponsor; Gold and Silver Sponsors; dedicated volunteers; and to the very fine small businesses, corporations and individuals that supported and contributed so much toward the production of “70 Great Years”- A Founders Gala – an evening “extraordinaire” filled with fond remembrances!