Organizers look to Legacy Banquet to set benchmark

Gregory Cotton Sr.

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook staff writer

A fund-raising event that recognized former FAMU presidents last year could set the benchmark for other HBCU’s to follow, given the projections for this year’s Legacy Banquet, said the university’s point person working with the event.

 
George Cotton Sr., executive director of FAMU Foundation, said he also believes that the Legacy Banquet could jump start a $100 million fund-raising campaign that the university plans to announce next month.

 
“This begins the beginning of that,” Cotton said following a planning meeting last week. “The Legacy Banquet becomes the first community initiative that moves us to the broader $100 million campaign and raising $5 million for athletics.

“I think the Legacy Banquet serves as a model for launching into a comprehensive campaign for FAMU.”

 
The Legacy Banquet is the brainchild of Rev. R.B. Holmes, pastor at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. The church is undertaking the event through its Empowerment Foundation.

 
This year’s Legacy Banquet is planned for March 30 at FAMU’s Grand Ballroom, where 14 people with connection to FAMU will be honored.

 
Holmes said the goal is to raise $60,000 through the banquet to help defray the cost of renovation to Bragg Stadium. It’s estimated that the project will cost $600,000. He also said he’ll meet with interim president Larry Robinson to discuss the possibility of a campaign that will focus on seeking $1,000 from each of 600 FAMU supporters.

 
“Hopefully, by football season that money will be in the bank somewhere,” Holmes said. “I think that in this climate and with present leadership with everybody on board we are going to do it.”

 
FAMU athletic director Milton Overton expressed surprise by the magnitude of the fund-raising plan.
“I’m just floored,” Overton said. “Just by the amazing grace of God He is always able to deliver on His promises. This FAMU-Bethel relationship is just a natural.

 
“You are investing in something great. Greater than just sports. We are talking about students and their education.”

 
Staging a fund-raiser that recognizes individuals who have history with the university is an effective concept, said James Mathews, one of this year’s honorees.

 
“There are people who have made major contributions to the university,” said Mathews, a former SGA president who also is a member of the planning committee. “I think this list that we have here of honorees is an example of a few of those who have made contributions to the university.”
Cotton also liked the concept.

 
“For us, it’s a logical fit,” he said. “The people who are stepping up here are people who love this community. They love Florida A&M University and they love their people. When you have that, raising money is easy. It’s the next logical step in getting this done.”