The Legacy Ball Celebrates 127 Years of Community

As guests of the second annual Legacy Ball were welcomed by a red-carpet interview, the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville came alive with the sounds of friends and fellowship. This black-tie affair — the concept of LaDonna Boyd, fifth-generation President/CEO of the R.H. Boyd family of companies — benefits the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund and celebrates 127 years of legacy with dinner, live music and dancing.

Local and national leaders gathered to give back in preparation for future generations. The evening’s master of ceremonies, comedian TC Cope, invited the gathered crowd to join their voices as: “Thank You for Being a Friend” rang out, Sankofa delivered a performance commemorating Juneteenth, and CoJo Ko serenaded a delicious meal.

After dinner, Yvette Boyd began to present the endowments, noting that the Fund — which provides scholarships and grants to university students and community organizations — is “not only critical, but timely and urgent.” Ravyn Moore received the undergraduate scholarship, and the Rejoice School of Ballet — the Boyd Endowment Grant recipient — gave a special demonstration.

“[R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation] was founded by my great-great-grandfather during a time when education was illegal for African Americans. We count it an honor to be able to offer scholarships to minority students who are seeking to advance themselves and the world around them,” said LaDonna. She and Veronica Marable Johnson presented the 2023 R.H. Boyd Awards, with the Humanitarian Award going to Purpose Preparatory Academy. Justin Jones received the Service Award, and Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands received the R.H. Boyd Excellence Award.

Yvette reminded guests that “R.H. Boyd paves the way for excellence, and excellence is our habit.” Indeed it is, as — since 1981 — the Fund has given more than $500,000 in scholarships, helped numerous nonprofit organizations further their missions, and given oversight to the Historic Boyd House renovation on the campus of Fisk University as it is converted to academic spaces for students.