Black Tie for Black History Annual Gala Honorees

Buffalo’s Annual Black Tie For Black History Extravaganza is celebrating it’s 10th year of honoring local “Difference Makers” in the community.

The 2018 outstanding honorees include Nona Nicole Holman, Rev. Kenneth Simmons, Brian K. Lewis, Doretha Edwards, Dr. Jeffery Grace, Leah Halton-Pope, Attorney Rashied McDuffie and a special tribute to Stonewall “DJ Stoney” Williams. “We want everyone to come out and hear the stories about these amazing Difference Makers,” said the event’s founder and coordinator Marnetta Malcolm Of Malcolm Media. “The gala , she said , is designed to highlight the positive accomplishments of people who are working in the community, but who are not always in the spotlight or given the recognition they deserve.

-Special Tribute- Stonewall “D J Stoney” will be honored with a special tribute for his contribution to the unique art of D.Jing Part tech wizard, part crowd psychologist, all artist, DJ Stoney’s career as a controlling maestro of the dance floor, spans 39 years. He started in 1979 at the age of 19 at the Vermillon. Room where party goers would “go up to get down” back in the day. Stoney, who admits “calling a bluff” to get the job (he didn’t have his own equipment or experience!), took owner Trunis Goggin’ s offer to get on the turntables. “And I never left…” he said. The late Keith Pollard, 96.5 FM WUFO’s legendary “Discotizer” on air radio personality, was his idol. “I grew up listening to Keith Pollard on the radio. I admired his style, so I emulated my style after him.” In 1989 he landed a full time job with National Grid. Although he’s been with the company for 28 years, he continued to develop his craft, and is one of the longest running DJ’s around today. “ Young kids still look up to me” the forever young Stoney humbly acknowledged, “I love it…I hope I’m around to DJ forever!”

The Gala- The event, which takes place this Friday evening, February 23 from 7-11 p.m. at the Metropolitan Entertainment Complex, 1670 Main Street, is also a fundraiser for the Stop the Violence Coalition and the Peacemakers organization. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Big Poppa and DJ Papa Trini. Tickets are $30 and available at Doris Records.

Black Tie for Black History Sponsors include CASNY, Geneva Auto, Camellia Foods, American Commodore Tuxedo, Dr. Catherine Collins, Ron Walker MVP, Urban Chamber of Commerce, AM 1400, Power 96.5. FM WUFO and The Challenger Community News.