The King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation kicked off its Annual Awards Banquet at Candler Hospital on Friday, May 1, 2009 with a breakfast for key community and business leaders.

Shirley Barber James The breakfast was hosted by this year’s Honorary Chairman, Paul Hinchey, CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler.

Mr. Hinchey is a former KTCF Award recipient.

The Annual Awards Banquet is scheduled for September 26, 2009 at the Savannah Hyatt Regency.

The KTCF Awards Banquet is presented each year as a means of recognizing persons who have been consistently noteworthy in their work to make substantial improvements in one of several areas: Historic Preservation, Fine Arts, Public Service, and Education.

A W.W. Law Legacy Award is also given to a person who embodies Mr. Law’s selfless dedication and commitment to this community.

The recipients for 2009: Historic Preservation: Craig Barrow, III, Wormsloe Foundation, Inc., Davenport House Endowment Fund Director; Public Service: Shirley B. James, Publisher and Editor of The Savannah Tribune; Education: Dr. Joe Buck, Chatham County School Board President; Fine Arts: Luther E. Vann, Savannah Artist; and W. W. Law Legacy: William B. Jackson, Civil Rights Activist, Retired Educator.

Luther Vann “We believe that the 2009 awardees have significantly and positively impacted the community in the respective areas for which they are being awarded. Their work has been cumulative and impressive,” says King-Tisdell Board Chairman Larry Chisholm.

The King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation was established in 1981 in Savannah under the leadership of noted historian, preservationist and civil rights activist, W.W. Law, to research, collect and present the African- American historical and cultural experience to the public.

William B. Jackson It endeavors to fill the void of information concerning the contributions of African- Americans, especially in Georgia and the Sea Islands of South Carolina.

Today, the Foundation operates the Beach Institute African-American Cultural Center , which houses the internationally recognized Ulysses Davis Folk Art Collection and art artifacts from across the African Diaspora. Several pieces of the Davis Collection were on exhibit recently at the High Museum in Atlanta and are now featured at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City .

The Foundation also operates the King-Tisdell Cottage, which is currently closed but slated to reopen as a museum that presents the story of slavery in Savannah and the coastal region.

The Awards Banquet is the Foundation’s primary activity for securing funds for operating and personnel support.

Joe Buck Individual tickets for the banquet are $75.00.

Tables and sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The banquet is open to the public and will begin Saturday evening, September 26th at 7:30 p.m., with a reception planned at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Beach Institute at 912- 234-8000.