Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2010 > January > 09 > Entry
Ada Anderson and the LEAP gala
This city owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Ada Collins Anderson. The social pioneer and civil rights leader, born in 1921, has been a pathfinder in so many ways, it’s hard to calculate the cumulative effect.
Rose Demerson and Ada Anderson
Among her achievements — later in life — was the founding of the Leadership Enrichment Arts Program, which offers low-income and minority youth a chance to experience the performing and visual arts. Friday, LEAP celebrated its 20th year of exposing students to the arts and giving them opportunities to participate at the Crown Plaza at Interstate 35 and US 290.
Sherry Ransom and Susan Baughman
I tried to discern social trends in the crowd of maybe 150, seated in blue-ribboned chairs before dinner. It was predominately African American, but not exclusively so. Older Austinites took the lead at most tables, but younger ones bounced up to give speeches, perform on instruments or network with the elders present.
Carla Jackson and Kelvin Phillips
The tightest bunch of guests gathered around Mrs. Anderson herself, clearly a touchstone for the evening. Sweeping from table to table was Sherry Ransom, LEAP executive director, who whispered that later a new scholarship would be named for Ada and her late husband, Marcellus J. “Andy” Anderson, the nation’s first black Realtor. (It was a kept secret from Ada until the formal announcement.)
Derrick Leon Washington and Zakiya Larry
I ran into Victoria Corcoran, who is doing the Lord’s work helping small to medium-sized nonprofits to grow. Sitting back to back were New Orleans transplants Christine Perrault Moline and Terrence Moline (on one side) and New York transplants Carla Jackson and Kelvin Phillips (on the other). Vibrant Zakiya Larry, Miss Black Texas USA, the evening’s emcee, posed for me with stylish Derrick Leon Johnson.
Anderson has received many accolades over the years. Let’s hope there are many more to come.
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