Knoxville Area Urban League honors recipients of Equal Opportunity Awards at annual gala

The Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) honored deserving community leaders at the Equal Opportunity Awards Gala in the categories of volunteer of the year, minority business of the year and corporate leadership. In addition, Fred M. Lowery, senior vice president and president of Thermo Fisher Scientific, received the prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

For the past 34 years, KAUL has hosted the Equal Opportunity Awards Gala, its key annual fundraiser dedicated to advancing its mission of empowering the underserved toward economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. This year’s event embraced the theme “Empowerment in Action” paying tribute to the organization’s influence and featuring the iconic R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, with D’Wayne Wiggins, famous for hits such as “Anniversary” and “Whatever You Want.”

“We always are proud to honor the outstanding achievements of this year’s Equal Opportunity awardees,” said Dr. Avice Reid, interim president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League. “Each recipient exemplifies the mission of our organization, advocating for empowerment, equality, and community upliftment. With the energy of Tony! Toni! Toné! fueling the evening, we celebrated not just their achievements, but also the collective spirit of our community. ‘Empowerment in Action’ reflects our commitment to driving meaningful change across East Tennessee.” 

The 2024 event, held Oct. 10 at the Knoxville Convention Center, recognized the following recipients: 

Whitney M. Young Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: Lowery was presented with the most esteemed KAUL award, recognizing his ability to embody the organization’s mission and values.

Lowery holds a master’s degree in manufacturing management from Kettering University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University. He serves on the board of directors for DuPont and the boards of trustees for Boston Medical Center and Tennessee Technological University and its foundation.

The award honors Whitney Young, the fourth executive director of the National Urban League (1961-1971), who worked to forge new alliances and coalitions to build bridges of understanding among races.

Corporate Leadership Award: Tennessee Valley Authority was presented with the leadership award, which recognizes a company, governmental agency or entity that has shown sensitivity to diversity, employment trends and/or special program involvement and support of the Urban League and its mission. This year, the company was the presenting sponsor of Shoes for School, solidifying its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Minority Business of the Year Award: Centro Hispano de East TN received the annual recognition of a minority-owned business that has made an economic and social impact on the community. President and CEO Claudia Caballero accepted the award on behalf of the company. Centro Hispano fosters empowerment and civic participation through community-strengthening initiatives, serving as the primary resource for East Tennessee’s Latino community and Latino-related matters.

Volunteer of the Year Award: Professor Joy Radice and The University of Tennessee College of Law Legal Clinic accepted the volunteer award, which salutes an individual or individuals who have made a significant impact on the programs and services of the Urban League and the community. Radice works alongside KAUL’s reentry program and expungement clinic, aiding justice-involved individuals to regain their voting and civil rights.

About the Knoxville Area Urban League

Since 1968, the Knoxville Area Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to support economic and small business development, and to enhance education efforts for our youth. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and affiliate of the National Urban League. The League’s work and results are evident in the lives of the thousands of people it impacts each year. For more information, call 865-524-5511 or visit thekaul.org.