CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, a leading luxury hospitality chain and as the only African-American woman to have ownership of three professional sports teams (the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitols and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics). She has produced four inspiring documentaries and served as a board member of several artistic and athletic foundations. Johnson is also being cited for her humanitarian work for CARE, her tireless efforts to promote awareness and treatment of infectious diseases in Africa and AIDS in the nation’s capital.
Hoffman fis being honored for his innovative leadership as one of Silicon Valley’s most creative thinkers, entrepreneurs and “angel” investors in influential internet companies. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding LinkedIn’s membership to over 100 million subscribers in 200 countries, and his involvement in Greylock Partners has been cited as a major factor of the firm’s leading role in funding a number of Silicon Valley’s cutting-edge industries. Hoffman has been instrumental in empowering low-income youth with educational opportunities in top colleges through his leadership in Questbridge and in fostering environmental citizenship and the next generation of “green entrepreneurs” as a member of the Provost Council of College Eight UCSC. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his active support of causes ranging from civil and human rights, political prisoners, disaster relief and alleviation of poverty and hunger.
There will be a reception prior to the dinner in the foyer outside the ballroom beginning at 5:30 p.m. and an “Afterglow” reception in the Regency Ballroom following the dinner. Sponsors of the Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner include: JPMorgan Chase; the Coca-Cola Company; Mercedes-Benz USA; Aetna; Target; Delta Air Lines; Georgia-Pacific LLC, The Home Depot; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Norfolk Southern and many others. For more information about Salute to Greatness Dinner sponsorships and tickets, call Judy Hanenkrat at 404-526-8974 or email jhanenkrat@thekingcenter.org.
Another highlight of the King Center MLK birthday observance, the Annual Commemorative Service held on Monday, Jan. 16, the King Holiday, will feature as keynote speaker Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, senior pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Members of the King family and a host of public figures will also participate.
There will be a free public Imaging Project on Sat., Jan. 7-21 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the King Center, featuring JP Morgan Chase & Co. and the King Center. This is a way to document photos of the Civil Rights Movement and to archive, preserve and share Dr. King’s works. For more information contact the King Center at thekingcenter.org.
Other events through Jan. 16, include Thursday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. —
State of Georgia Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission Program, which is free at the State Capitol, North Wing. Contact The Georgia Martin Luther King Jr., King Holiday Commission at 404-463-1343; Thursday, Jan. 12, 8 p.m. “A King Celebration” concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Atlanta Symphony Hall.. The concert honors King in words and music and features the orchestra with the Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs with Robert Spano conducting. The celebration will also feature cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Call 404-733-4900, visit atlantasymphony.org; or email aso-info@woodruffcenter.org. Also, Friday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m., the Naturalization Ceremony – U.S. Immigration Services at the King Center, Freedom Hall Auditorium. A naturalization ceremony will be held to welcome the new citizens. On Friday, Jan. 13, from 11 a.m.-4p.m., there will be a free Job Readiness Symposium in the MLK Jr. Gymnasium. Contact Barbara Harrison at 404-526-8911.
The Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 14, will be at the downtown Hyatt Regency, tickets are $250, followed by the rally and march on Auburn Avenue from Peachtree Street to Jackson Street. The King Rally is held on Auburn Avenue in the King National Park Area. To participate call 404-614-3233 or email cleoorange@bellsouth.net. Sunday, Jan. 15, from 3-5 p.m., there will be a free book signing with Dr. Christine King Farris and Dr. Angela Farris Watkins at Freedom Hall Auditorium. On Monday, Jan. 16, The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project, sponsored by Hands On Atlanta sponsors community service projects throughout Atlanta. Contact: Hands On Atlanta at 404-979- 2800 or handsonatlanta.org.
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