Founders Day Banquet
Featured State News

Durham Committee Celebrates 90 Years of Advocacy at Founders Day Banquet

Dawn Mikayla
Congresswoman Alma S. Adams

Durham, NC — The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People (DCABP) will mark a historic milestone with its 90th Founders Day Anniversary Banquet on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel (4700 Emperor Blvd, Durham, NC 27703). This signature event celebrates nine decades of advocacy, service, and leadership in advancing the interests of Black residents in Durham and beyond.

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams to Deliver Keynote Address

The evening’s keynote speaker is the Honorable Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, PhD (NC-12), widely recognized as a national leader on education, maternal health, and economic opportunity for African Americans. A fierce advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Rep. Adams co-founded the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and championed the FUTURE Act, securing permanent federal funding for Minority-Serving Institutions.

Honoring Those Who Carry the Torch

Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine
founders day banquet
Dr. Jerry Head, Jr.
Phyllis Coley

The Founders Day Banquet will pay tribute to the visionaries who launched DCABP in 1935, the leaders who sustained its mission through the decades, and the new generation of changemakers.
This year’s distinguished honorees include:

  • Ms. Phyllis Coley – Founder & CEO, Spectacular Magazine
  • Dr. Jerry Head, Jr. – Educator and community advocate
  • Mechanics and Farmers Bank – Iconic Black-owned financial institution
  • Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine – Pastor, professor, and national faith leader
  • Outstanding Student Leaders – Representing the next wave of Black excellence

A Legacy Built on Unity and Courage

“For nine decades, the DCABP has served as a pillar of advocacy, leadership, and action,” said Attorney Floyd B. McKissick, Jr., Chair of DCABP. “The road we’ve traveled has been marked by trials and perseverance—but also by triumph and transformation.”

He continued,

“Our founders built this organization on unity, determination, and the power of community. Their courage must continue to guide our work as we meet the demands of our time with resilience and purpose.”

Join the Movement for the Next 90 Years

DCABP is calling on the broader community to get involved: “We need your ideas, your time, and your unwavering commitment,” said McKissick. “Join us in continuing the struggle and ensuring the next 90 years are even more impactful.”

The Founders Day Banquet promises to be a night of reflection, celebration, and inspiration.

Event Details:
Saturday, August 16, 2025
7:00 PM
Sheraton Imperial Hotel
4700 Emperor Blvd, Durham, NC 27703

For tickets, click here.