UTICA — To honor former community leader James Blackshear and unite area residents in a spirit of partnership, Hope Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church and the Kiwanis Club of Utica are sponsoring the Annual James Blackshear Memorial Prayer Luncheon.

The luncheon, which had been on pause during the pandemic, will take place at noon
on Thursday, April 20, at the Club Monarch in Yorkville.

Tickets for the event are $25 per person.

Funds raised through the event will support the James Blackshear Scholarship.

“The challenges of our times and our community can be formidable. So, too, is the potential that we have when we use our talents, abilities and energies to work for the common good; working in many different ways but united by one mission: Making this community stronger by providing opportunities that enrich our lives and the lives of those who need our help,” said David Mathis.

“Not that many years ago, our community – and many of us who live in it – lost a
wonderful friend in James Blackshear, a man who gave everything he had for the dreams of others, because he believed, as Nelson Mandela once said, that ‘the time is always ripe to do right,’” he added.

“We want the community to join us at this event to help Kiwanis keep alive the spirit of James Blackshear through scholarships that help the young people of our community,” Mathis said.

“More importantly, by joining us to gather with others who believe in using our time and our talents to make this world a better place than any of us could ever achieve on our own, the community will be helping to keep alive the dream James lived by – that tomorrow will be better than today because this community’s people of good will are united in their efforts to help those in need,” he added.

For questions and additional information about the event or to purchase tickets, contact Ed Blackshear at 315-542-2069.