Plano Community Forum Banquet coming in October

by Staff of of North Dallas Gazette

The Plano Community Forum (PCF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has a mission that is straightforward: They provide scholarship opportunities for graduating minority students in Plano and promote cultural enrichment within the community.

On October 3, 2009 the PCF invites the community to its 28th Annual Awards Banquet everyone will see "Men Making a Difference," the theme for this year.

Since 1982, when PCF unveiled the first Awards Banquet recognizing the achievements of African Americans in the community, the goal was to raise money for higher education. They succeeded and in 1983 created the Martin Luther King (MLK) Scholarship Fund which today has awarded approximately $200,000 to 200 minority students. The first award was given to Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. PCF continues to support Paul Quinn College and the United Negro College Fund annually.

"The PCF is unique in that we have awarded more scholarships to African American students than any other group in the City of Plano. Our scholarships have been awarded to other minorities as well," says Brenda McDonald, PCF president. Since 1983 PCF has evolved into an organization that has also sponsored three African American plays in Plano and broadened the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration. In the beginning, it was a small, mostly African American celebration. Now the all-inclusive Plano MLK Weekend Celebration includes city, school, and college leaders, a broad range of churches, and civic organizations. Students, families, and people from all walks of life in Plano participate in the annual celebration. The PCF also encourage members to be actively involved in the city by serving on boards and commissions.

McDonald shares, "I'm excited and honored to have our men step up to the plate and take the lead this year. We all support each other and help out in preparing for our largest fundraiser of the year but to have the men chairing all of the committees is truly making a statement. I believe it is a fine example illustrating that despite the changes in generations and society we still need our men to set the tone and show our youth and young men what responsibility to self, family, and community is all about. Our men are going to make a difference on Saturday at 7 p.m. October 3rd at Southfork Hotel and I'm asking for the community to please come out and share in this joyous evening with us. All are welcome."