Friends of AARLCC to honor five South Florida community leaders at annual luncheon

Five South Florida leaders will be honored for their contributions to the community when the Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center hosts its 24th Annual Honoree Luncheon in October.

The masquerade celebration will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. at Signature Sunrise, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. in Sunrise.

This year's event, themed “Rooted in Community: Honoring Those Who Brought Change,” will recognize five individuals for their leadership, service and impact across South Florida.

The honorees are Andra Mentore, who will receive the Community Service and Distinguished Achievement honor; Dr. Sharetta Remikie, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement honor; Jarrod Mills, who will be recognized for Heritage and Distinguished Community Service; Michael Hylton, who will receive the Community Service and Distinguished Achievement honor; and Dr. Sylvia Sloane Jones, who will be recognized for Heritage and Distinguished Community Service.

For more than two decades, the annual luncheon has recognized community leaders, visionaries and changemakers while raising support for the Friends of AARLCC and its work to preserve African American history and culture.

The organization said this year's event comes amid ongoing national debates over how African American history is taught, interpreted and preserved.

Libraries, archives and cultural institutions play a significant role in preserving books, documents, photographs, artifacts, oral histories and other primary sources that document the African American experience and make those materials available to future generations.

“Preserving history is not simply about protecting the past. It is about ensuring that future generations have access to the knowledge, stories, and experiences that help them understand who they are and the communities that came before them,” said Luwando Wright, president of Friends of AARLCC.

“At a time when efforts to restrict, reinterpret or diminish parts of African American history are on the rise, supporting institutions like AARLCC is more important than ever. Our community has a role in ensuring these stories remain accessible, documented, and protected.”

Friends of AARLCC serves as a support and advocacy organization for the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, working with library leadership to strengthen its programs, collections, services and community engagement.

Through fundraising, advocacy and partnerships, the organization supports programs, events, exhibits, archives, special collections, research materials, historically significant artifacts and staff development, among other initiatives.

Its members also work to raise awareness of the library's resources and advocate for continued investment in the institution.

According to the organization, those efforts are intended to ensure AARLCC remains a resource for researchers, families, young people and other community members seeking to explore African American history and culture locally, nationally and globally.

The Oct. 31 luncheon is expected to bring together community leaders, elected officials, professionals, educators, advocates, library supporters and residents while raising funds for the organization's advocacy, programming and preservation efforts.

“For 24 years, this event has enabled us to recognize extraordinary people and bring the community together around a shared purpose: protecting our history and investing in the future,” Wright said.

“When someone purchases a ticket, becomes a Friend, or makes a donation, they help sustain the advocacy, programming, and preservation work that keeps this institution strong for generations to come.”

Community members who are unable to attend can also support Friends of AARLCC through donations or membership.