DALLAS’ 1st BLACK HISTORY MAKER DOCUMENTARY FINALE

THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE VERNAS HELP FOUNDATION Invites you to the Celebration Roast & Toast for Verna Thomas-Melton," honoring her 50 years of volunteer service from 1974 to 2024. The event will occur on September 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland/Richardson, 5101 North George Bush Highway in Garland, Texas.  The event will be a black tie hosted by Verna's Help Foundation Board Members & Friends.  It will mark the final film production for the documentary on Verna's signing of her new book, "My Power In Three," and the documentary "Dallas' 1st Black History Makers & Leaders." Guests for the evening will walk the red carpet for interviews and photographs hosted by actress Amber Pickens and comedian Cecil Armstrong "Shuckey Duckey.

The notable guest ROASTERS & TOASTERS include Dallas' 1980 Assistant City Manager Levi Davis, the first Black news reporter for the Dallas Morning News Norma Adams Wade, Laura Hornbeck, regional coordinator for Women for World Peace, former Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway, Jack Beckman, the 1980 Management Director of Dallas Reunion Arena and Convention Center, Robert Sanders, 1967 High School Alumni Representative and former Corsicana NAACP president, and Dianne Gibson, Miss Community for Dallas City and County, with Robert Ashley and Dwayne Grant Master of Ceremony. 

A special presentation from Karl Bery, the Founder/CEO of the Community Care Resource Council, states, "We are proud to join the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, in honoring Verna Thomas-Melton. Verna is recognized as a mission philanthropist and community leader who has consistently dedicated her time and efforts to improving the lives of others."  As a part of this prestigious recognition, Verna will receive The Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant philanthropic contributions, unwavering commitment, and dedication to the DFW community. Along with this award, Verna will receive a personalized certificate, a congratulatory letter signed by the President of the United States, and a Lifetime Achievement official pin.

The finalized list of invitees to walk the Red Carpet for the final filming of the documentary "Dallas' 1st Black History Makers & Leaders" includes several distinguished African American personalities in government. This includes Mr. Levi Davis, the first Black Assistant City Manager; Judge Sam A. Lindsay, the first Black U.S. Federal Judge in Dallas; Ron Kirk, the first Black Mayor of the City of Dallas; John W. Price, the first Black County Commissioner; Carolyn Wright Sanders, Dallas County's first Female Judge; Faith Johnson, Dallas County's First Female District Attorney; Marian Brown, the first Black  Female Sheriff in Dallas County; Tracey Gulley, the first Black Female Constable in Dallas County; Dr. Zan Holmes, the first Black State Representative in 1968; Senator Royce West, the first Black State Senator in 1993; Dr. Ronald Jones, the first Black Mayor of The City of Garland; Lt. Colonel Allen West, the first Black Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party and First Black State Chairman for the GOP, and Kardal Coleman the first Black Chairman of the Dallas County Democratic Party.