Who’s Who gala celebrates a decade of inspiration

KEN KOONTZ

Who’s Who In Black Charlotte Living Legends 2025 honorees (from left) Tommie Robinson (visual artist); Robinson’s son Winston; Gracie Pendergrass-Coleman, Atrium Health board; Linda Lockman-Brooks (marketing services); J'Tanya Adams (business/economic/community development) and Who’s Who producer Rhonda Caldwell.

“Far beyond wildest dreams!” 

“Phenomenal!” 

“Overwhelming!” 

Those are a sample of comments from the record-setting attendance of almost 500 people at the 10th anniversary Who’s Who In Black Charlotte gala. The Nov. 7 celebration is one of numerous galas under the umbrella of Real Image Media. 

While thanking sponsors, advertisers and underwriters, gala producer Rhonda Caldwell said the goal is to encourage participants and honorees to share their stories, life experiences, challenges and successes with inspirational messages to aspiring youth.

“You can be what you see,” she said. “And those of you in this room through your successes and examples can be the example that leads black youth to their success just as you represent here tonight.” 

Caldwell acknowledged the Charlotte gala culminates a decade of “defining who we are and where we’re going.” 

“It’s been a decade of designing a future and documenting our history,” she said.

The highlight was recognition of five “Living Legends” who paved the way and 10 “Game Changers.” 

“You gotta be bold because that’s who you are,” said Hiram Jackson, publisher and CEO of Real Time Media. “We’re celebrating excellence, all 750 people attending the event and the 440 individual honorees.” 

Bank of America Charlotte President Keith Cockrell, a sponsor of the event, noted that his company has more than 350 Black senior executives across its nationwide presence. Like Caldwell, he urged the audience to share the Who’s Who album with a student.

Malcolm Coley, retired managing director of global accounting firm EY, established the nonprofit Bright Hope Capitol to boost developing Black businesses. He noted the gala was more than a “reflection of the past, but of what’s to come.”

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