The Modernette Civic Club, one of Hopkinsville’s oldest Black civic organizations, has announced plans for its African American Heritage Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the James E. Bruce Convention Center.
The keynote speaker will be state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel. The Louisville Democrat has served in the Kentucky House since 2021. She was her party’s nominee for state attorney general last year and lost in the general election to Republican Russell Coleman.
Now in its 28th year, the African American Heritage Breakfast typically draws 400 to 450 guests. The Rev. Lisa Balboa, this year’s chairwoman, said she hopes attendance will be closer to 500 this year.
The breakfast raises money for college scholarships that the Modernettes award every year to local high school graduates. They were able to provide six $1,000 scholarships in 2023, said club president Billie Todd.
The theme this year, “Moving Forward: Uplifting Our Community,” reflects the club’s mission to help bring issues to light in the community, said Balboa. Established in 1965, the group has worked on numerous projects through the years, such as its efforts during the pandemic to provide education about COVID-19 vaccines.
Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased from club members or online through Eventbrite. The event begins at 8 a.m.
