What is the Legacy Ball?
An evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, fostering opportunity, and driving meaningful change. This distinguished event recognizes the achievements of African Americans in Nashville and beyond while honoring outstanding community partners who contribute to progress and empowerment.
Proceeds from the Legacy Ball support the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships for students and grants to high-impact community programs. Your partnership serves as a direct investment in education, leadership development, and initiatives that strengthen communities.
About the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund
The R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund is dedicated to assisting students with achieving academic and career success through providing scholarships for their studies. We also support community organizations that have a hands-on approach to providing opportunities for advancement to those in need.
We stand on the shoulders of our founder, Dr. Richard Henry Boyd, who was born at a time when reading and literacy was a crime for many. More than 130 years later, we proudly support students in their education pursuits as well as community organizations that are making a direct impact on those that they serve.
Founding Chairs
Dr. LaDonna Y. Boyd
Dr.* and Mrs. T. B. Boyd III
*In memoriam
2026 Legacy Ball Chairs
Mr. and Mrs. Don and Tracy Hardin
Mrs. Gail Carr Williams
2026 Legacy Ball Young Professionals Chairs
Mr. Tylan M. Beard
Ms. Lea A. Bryant
2026 Host Committee
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Shenita Baker
Mrs. Danielle Barnes
Mr. Justin Boyd
Ms. Shalaé Boyd
Ms. Michele N. Bradley, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Eric and Lloryn Carter
Ms. Roslyn Carpenter
Dr. and Mrs. André and Doreatha Churchwell
Dr. Ruth Edmonds
Drs. Dexter D. and Alexandria Evans Drs. Christopher and Kelby Garner
Dr. Diarese George
Mr. Keith Gregory and Mrs. Cindy Kent
Mr. Clifton Harris
Ms. Paige A. Jack
Mr. and Mrs. David and Karen Johnson
Commissioner John A. Keys
Pastor and Mrs. Michael and Penny Allison Lockhart
Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Pam Martin
Ms. Dana Taft
Drs. Joseph and Stephaine Walker
Mrs. Evette White
Mr. Milton White
Mrs. Memorie K. White-Johnson
Mr. Chip Wilkison and Mr. Andrew B. King II
Mr. Waddell Wright
Ms. Vicki Yates
2026 Young Professionals Host Committee
Ms. Tena Beard
Mrs. Kara Blue
Ms. Kennedy Brownlow
Dr. Lee Bryant Il
Ms. Diyana Collier
Mr. Mario Eberhart
Ms. LaJaunea Esaw
Ms. Tierra Gibson
Mr. Brandon Goggins
Ms. Christiann Goodson
Ms. Zaria Hobbs
Mr. Eric Jordan II
Mr. Marcus Knight
Ms. Laurnea Marks
Ms. Kennedi Parks
Ms. Kennedy Penn
Ms. Mariah Rhodes, Esq.
Mr. Naton Smith
Mr. Romello Smith
Ms. Jada Thompson
Mr. Lorenzo Windrow
Mr. William Wright
2025 Legacy Ball Chairs
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Rev. Dr. John and Dr. Maya Faison
Dr. and Mrs. Alfred and Tiffany Degrafinreid
2025 Legacy Ball Young Professionals Chairs
Ms. Mariah Rhodes, Esq.
Mr. Jeffrey R. Thomas Jr.
2024 Legacy Ball Chairs
Dr. and Mrs. André and Doreatha Churchwell
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Michelle Brown
2023 Legacy Ball Chairs
Drs. Joseph and Stephaine Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Clarke Byard
R.H. Boyd Board of Directors
Dr. LaDonna Y. Boyd
Dr. Matthew Alix
Mrs. Yvette Boyd
Ms. Veronica Marable Johnson
Dr. T. L. Brown
R.H. Boyd Board of Directors
Dr. LaDonna Y. Boyd
Dr. Matthew Alix
Mrs. Yvette Boyd
Ms. Veronica Marable Johnson
Dr. T. L. Brown
Endowment Committee
Mrs. Yvette J. Boyd
Dr. Matthew Alix
Mrs. Doreatha Churchwell
Dr. Quaford Coleman
Mr. Howard Gentry
Mrs. Kerri Floyd Kelly
Mr. William Martin, Jr.
Mrs. Marie Sueing