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Cynne Simpson and Chris Tucker attend the 2014 UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball at Atlanta Marriot Marquis on December 20, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic)

Cynne Simpson and Chris Tucker attend the 2014 UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball at Atlanta Marriot Marquis on December 20, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic)

By Diane Larche’

Celebrating Our Heritage, Our History: Saluting African Americans in the Arts is the theme of the annual Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Heritage Dinner set for Thursday, February 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center, 7 p.m. in the Thomas Murphy Ballroom.

Hosted by Actor Comedian Chris Tucker and Fox TV News Anchor Cynne’ Simpson, the dinner will celebrate artists and entertainers with Georgia ties including Steve Allen, Andre Thompson, Brenda Singletary and Gilbert Young, James Brown, BRICK, Sheila Ray (Ray Charles’ Daughter), Clifford “TI” Harris, Kenny Leon, Bohannan,Will Packer, Dottie Peoples, Otis Redding, Clarence Carter, S.O.S. Band and Millie Jackson.

Key sponsors of the celebration include: AT&T Georgia, Astellas, Data Systems and Games, Georgia Association of Educators, Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Power, Morehouse School of Medicine and Waste Management.

The Heritage Dinner Committee members who have been working diligently to bring this historically well attended evening are Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Sen. Gloria Butler, Rep. Tonya Anderson, Sen. David Lucas, Sen. Lester Jackson,Sen. Donzella James, Rep. DarShun Kendrick, Rep. Billy Mitchell and Rep. Dexter Sharper.

Proceeds from the annual dinner supports the annual youth symposium and scholarships.

“We appreciate the support from our corporate sponsors and community partners, we will continue to engage in activities that educate and provide scholarships; conduct research, development and training activities; and support, sponsor, underwrite, staff and administer nonpartisan, programs that protect the general welfare of Black people, other people of color and disadvantaged citizens of Georgia,,” said GLBC Chair Rep. Dawkins-Haigler.

“The Black Caucus continues its important work that it has been doing for 42 years and is proud that this year our focus on youth has resulted in the highest number of interns at the Capitol and a well attended youth day with boys and girls from across the state in attendance, she added.

Last year more than 650 guests attended the dinner from federal, state and local elected officials to government leaders and community and nonprofit organizations and academia.

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus is the largest state black caucus in the nation with a membership of 61 members who represent over 3 million Georgians.