HOOKS PLANS REUNION SPEECH

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks, former executive director of the NAACP, will attend the River Heritage Regional Black Family Reunion Aug. 12-14 in Cape Girardeau.

Hooks will attend a prayer breakfast and be keynote speaker at an Aug. 12 leadership seminar that is part of the reunion. Tickets cost $5 and will be available next week, said Paul Garland, co-chairman along with Carol Keeler.

The reunion, which will be held in Arena Park, is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to Hooks, two evening concerts are planned along with a variety of other activities.

The reunion is intended to enhance the historical strengths and traditional values of black families.

Hooks, a lawyer, banker and minister, served as executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1977 to 1993.

The Rev. Simon Perkins of Cape Girardeau will deliver the prayer breakfast message leading into the leadership seminar. The prayer breakfast is planned for 7:30 to 9 a.m. and the leadership seminar is scheduled for 9:30 to 11 a.m. Hooks will discuss economic and political empowerment, family values and education.

"We hope that business leaders, civic leaders and thought leaders will attend," Garland said. The event is open to anyone.

From 12:30-3 p.m. Aug. 12, a leadership panel is scheduled. Three break-out groups will discuss economic, political and family empowerment and education. "We are looking at how to make improvements in our community," Garland said.

The reunion committee hopes to raise $78,000 to fund the event. Garland said the group has raised almost $25,000, and donations of between $5,000 and $10,000 are pending.

"It is a far cry from where we need to be," he said. The actual expenditures so far total over $60,000. Hooks' appearance, for example, costs $5,000 plus expenses.

The reunion is a non-profit event. "Whatever amounts that may be donated over and above the costs of the actual event will go towards seeding next year's event," Garland said. Organizers hope to make it an annual event.

Procter & Gamble Co. made an initial donation. Capital Bank and Manpower have also signed on.

An information meeting and continental breakfast is planned July 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Cape Girardeau's City Hall for interested sponsors.

The night of Aug. 12, a concert is planned at the Arena Building featuring Guess, a rhythm-and-blues group; Brothas with FLAV, a rap group; Total Control, a dance group; Kechia Davis, a rhythm-and-blues singer; Vondell Henderson, saxophonist; Long Time Coming, a rhythm-and-blues group; and magician Gary Walker. Tickets cost $5 and will be available next week. Outlets have not been set yet.

The night of Aug. 13, a gospel concert at the Show Me Center features Commissioned, a popular gospel group, along with the Williams Brothers, a gospel quartet, and Rapture, a gospel group. Tickets cost $10.50 in advance and $12.50 at the door. VIP tickets cost $25 and include dinner with the entertainers. Tickets are available at the Show Me Center box office and Show Me Center ticket outlets in Perryville, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, Carbondale and Paducah. Tickets are also available at Schnucks and Disc Jockey Records in Cape Girardeau.

Carnival rides will be offered all three days. A fraternity and sorority step show is planned, along with a two-on-two and double Dutch basketball tournaments.

Characters of the popular children's television program, "The Power Rangers," will arrive Aug. 12, and be on the reunion grounds Saturday.

Two cast members from the television show "Saved by the Bell" are also scheduled to be on hand.

An open-mike talent show is planned Aug. 13 at the A.C. Brase Arena.

Garland said organizers hope that an organization, the River Heritage Coalition for Minority Affairs, will spin off the reunion. The coalition would sponsor the reunion in the future as well as other activities of interest to the black community.

For more information about events contact the Chamber of Commerce or the Convention and Visitors Bureau.