When Larry Lee, the current Publisher, and President of The Sacramento Observer called me mid-summer and asked if I would like to attend the Sacramento Observer's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration on Nov. 10 at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, I said absolutely yes.

The Sacramento Observer has been a major part of my life for nearly 40 years. In the 1980s, Larry and his parents, the late, Dr. William Lee and Mrs. Kathryn Lee provided me a wonderful opportunity to write entertainment features for the paper. To this day, I still contribute articles.

The Sacramento Observer was founded in 1962 and has remained a beacon for the community. Like so many, I am honored and proud to be part of this publication.

The Sacramento Observer has received more than 700 local and national awards for journalism excellence and outstanding community service. Six times, The Observer has been named the nation's top Black newspaper, symbolized by receiving the John B. Russwurm trophy, given annually by the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

So, yes, The Sacramento Observer has always been a big deal. It's an even bigger deal today as it continues to grow and represent the Black community and ensure its voice is heard.

If you were fortunate to get tickets for the Sacramento Observer's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration--which is sold-out--you're in for an incredibly special and memorable evening. Emmy-award winning journalist/author/speaker Adrienne Bankert will be the host.
Bankert joined NewsNation in 2021 and currently serves as co-anchor of Morning in America.

In addition, audiences will be treated to the Colour of Music Festival Orchestra. The Orchestra showcases some of the top classical musicians of African descent in the United States, who have been trained at the most prestigious schools in the world. The Colour of Music Festival, Inc. was established in 2013 and promotes diverse classical music along with honoring the contributions of Black classical composers and performers. It aims to address the limited opportunities for celebrated Black classical musicians to perform with major American orchestras.

The festival presents a wide range of baroque, classical, and 20th-century music, all performed to the highest musical standards. It has been held in multiple cities across the United States, including Atlanta, Charleston, Columbia, Nashville, Houston, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Tulsa, and Sacramento.

One of the festival’s primary goals is to raise awareness of the work of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, (Joseph Bologne), an African French composer whose compositions were on par with or surpassed those of his contemporaries in the 18th century. Despite international recognition, his music remains relatively unknown in the United States.

Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. was sensational in his portrayal of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, (Joseph Bologne) in the 2022 movie "Chevalier." It's a remarkable story and truly a must-see movie.

The Sacramento Observer's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration will also feature the music of highly acclaimed Soul Jazz recording artistFrank McComb. The singer/songwriter is known for his captivating vocals and skillful piano playing. McComb was named one of the 27 greatest keyboard players of all time by MusicRadar.com. Soultracks.com also nominated him as one of the best male vocalists and recognized his song "High," featuring Eric Roberson, as a top track in 2019.

Throughout his career, Frank has displayed his versatility as a vocalist, musician, writer, producer, and even as a videographer with his "Overhead Series" on social media. He boasts an extensive collection of original projects, including his debut album Love Stories. McComb has collaborated with numerous artists worldwide and has now established the Frank McComb Independent Artist Institute (FMIAI). Through this Master Class program, he shares more than 25 years of knowledge and experience from an independent artist's perspective. The institute also features other esteemed artists, creating a valuable resource for aspiring musicians globally.

The Sacramento Observer's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration will be an enjoyable night filled with plenty of music and memories. Here's to 60 more years of Black Excellence.

For more information on The Sacramento Observer's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration, log on to www.Sacobserver.com.

Editor's Note: Some information used in this article provided by the Sacramento Observer newspaper.