Pastor James D. Gailliard to Keynote Durham Committee’s 91st Founders Day Banquet, Honorees Named
DURHAM, N.C. — The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People will celebrate 91 years of advocacy, leadership and service with a milestone gathering honoring some of Durham’s influential community leaders and promising young scholars. Pastor James D. Gailliard, a prominent faith leader, former North Carolina legislator and community advocate, will deliver the keynote address at the organization’s 91st Annual Founders Day Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Durham Committee Celebrates 91 Years of Advocacy
The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People (DCABP) will hold its 91st Annual Founders Day Banquet from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park, 4700 Emperor Blvd. in Durham.
For more than nine decades, the Durham Committee has served as a voice for civic engagement, education, economic advancement, advocacy and social justice.
This year’s banquet will honor that legacy while recognizing community leaders and young scholars whose achievements reflect the organization’s longstanding commitment to leadership, service and progress.
Pastor James D. Gailliard Named Keynote Speaker
Affectionately known as “Pastor G,” Pastor James D. Gailliard is the organizing and senior pastor of Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount.
Under his leadership, the church grew from 14 founding members into a congregation serving thousands of families. Its Impact Center operates from a renovated former Home Depot and supports a variety of spiritual and human-development initiatives.
Gailliard’s leadership has extended well beyond the pulpit.
He made history as the first person of color elected to represent North Carolina House District 25, serving two terms in the North Carolina General Assembly.
His public-service work has addressed issues including:
- Educational equity
- Economic opportunity
- Criminal justice reform
- Housing
- Healthcare
- Community development
Gailliard is also founder and chairman of The REACH Center, Inc. and has held leadership roles with myFutureNC, Elizabeth City State University, and the Morehouse College Board of Preachers.
A graduate of Morehouse College, Gailliard has received numerous honors, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Pastor Gailliard represents the kind of courageous, visionary and service-centered leadership that has defined the Durham Committee for more than nine decades,” DCABP leadership said. “His ability to connect faith with civic responsibility and translate vision into meaningful community impact makes him an ideal voice as we commemorate our 91st Founders Day.”
D. Curtis Lawson to Receive 2026 Chairman’s Award
The 2026 Chairman’s Award, one of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People’s highest honors, will be presented to D. Curtis Lawson for his leadership, distinguished coaching career and decades of service to North Carolina Central University, Durham and the sport of tennis.
As Associate Athletics Director, Director of Tennis and Head Men’s Tennis Coach at NCCU, Lawson has spent more than 25 years building the university’s tennis program while earning national recognition for leadership and student success.
Among his accomplishments, Lawson became the first NCCU tennis coach to serve on the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Committee, served as president of the MEAC Tennis Coaches Association and was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2026.
His impact also extends beyond athletics. Lawson has worked as a healthcare executive, researcher, mentor, philanthropist and civic leader.
He is also the first Dues-Paid Lifetime Member of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.
The Chairman’s Award recognizes Lawson’s lifetime of leadership and service and his impact on generations of students, athletes and community leaders.
Larry and Denise Hester Honored for Community Leadership
Larry and Denise Hester will be recognized as 2026 Community Leadership Honorees for their work as entrepreneurs and community developers.
As founders of M & M Real Estate Development and Consulting, the Hesters have played a role in revitalizing Durham’s historic Fayetteville Street Corridor through strategic investment and commercial development.
Their projects include the Phoenix Crossing Shopping Center and other developments that have created more than 55,000 square feet of commercial space, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs while also attracting regional and national businesses.
Their recognition highlights the role that intentional economic development and Black entrepreneurship can play in strengthening historically significant Durham communities.
Destiny L. Alexander Recognized for Empowering Durham Youth
Destiny L. Alexander, founder of POOF Teen Center, will also receive a 2026 Community Leadership honor.
POOF serves young people ages 13 to 18 through programming focused on:
- Leadership development
- Financial literacy
- Entrepreneurship
- Legacy planning
- Academic support
- Global exposure
- Mentorship
- Community engagement
The organization provides a structured environment where teenagers are encouraged to envision possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances while developing practical skills for adulthood.
Through Alexander’s leadership, POOF aims to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and civic leaders while reinforcing the importance of giving back to the community.
Five Students to Receive 1935 Social Change and Education Scholarships
Education will also take center stage during the Founders Day celebration.
The DCABP Youth and Education Committee will recognize five students selected to receive the 2026 1935 Social Change and Education Scholarship Award:
- Brinity Horton
- Lelia Lemons
- Sage McNeil
- Gianna Peterson
- Johna Speller
The recipients were selected through a competitive application process and distinguished themselves through academic achievement, leadership, community service, and a demonstrated commitment to positive change.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these remarkable scholars,” the DCABP Youth and Education Committee said. “Their dedication, perseverance, and vision inspire confidence in the future of our community.”
The scholarships continue the Durham Committee’s longstanding commitment to investing in educational opportunity and cultivating future community leadership.
91st Annual Founders Day Banquet Details
What: Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People 91st Annual Founders Day Banquet
When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, 6–10 p.m.
Where: Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park
Address: 4700 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC
Keynote Speaker: Pastor James D. Gailliard
Sponsorships, tables, and individual tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/91st-annual-dcabp-founders-day-banquet-tickets-1987467595078?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
For additional information, contact Angelique Stallings, Civic Committee Chair, at angeliquestallings@gmail.com.
A Legacy That Continues
The 91st Founders Day Banquet will bring together generations of Durham leadership—from those whose decades of service helped strengthen the community to young scholars preparing to become its next leaders.
For the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, the celebration is both a recognition of its history and an investment in what comes next. As DCABP marks 91 years, the organization continues the work at the heart of its mission: advocating for the Black community, developing leaders, expanding opportunity and helping build a stronger Durham.
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