An event flyer for the 2026 Griot Awards features text and photos of Charles Smith and Clint Smith against a dark brown background with decorative purple and gold borders.

Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail

General Admission

LXCL:Entry to VIP reception with complimentary drinks. Opportunity to meet the honoree, keynote speaker, and panelists. Reserved seating

VIP Admission

LXCL:• Access to VIP Reception• Full-page advertisement in the official program booklet• One premium-seating table with 20 seats• Featured recognition in event announcements, publications, and public service announcements• Premier recognition during the event as Presenting Sponsor• Prominent logo placement on event materials• Photo opportunity with the 2026 honoree• Complimentary private group Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail tour for up to 14 guests

Presenting Sponsor

LXCL:• Access to VIP Reception• Full-page advertisement in the official program booklet• One premium-seating table with 10 seats• Recognition during the event as a Legacy Sponsor• Logo placement on designated event materials

Legacy Sponsor

LXCL:• Access to VIP Reception• Half-page advertisement in the official program booklet• Premium seating for 10 guests• Recognition as a Griot Sponsor in the program and during the event

Griot Sponsor

Check made out to: [Friends of the African American Heritage Trail]
Address to send the check to: [355 N. Ann St., Mobile, AL 36603]

✨ MOBILE, GET READY FOR THE CULTURAL EVENT OF THE YEAR! ✨ The Friends of the African American Heritage Trail proudly presents the 2026 Griot Awards, Thursday, November 12, at the University of South Alabama Alumni Center&rsquo;s McGhee Grand Ballroom! 🏆 This year, we honor Mobile&rsquo;s own internationally renowned ceramist and sculptor&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://mobilebaykeeper.org/a-mobile-style/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Charles Smith</a>, while welcoming <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.clintsmithiii.com/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Dr. Clint Smith</a>, New York Times bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed and one of the nation&rsquo;s leading writers, scholars, and poets, as our keynote speaker. 📚🎤 The evening becomes even more extraordinary as Dr. Smith joins acclaimed writers <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/english/faculty/tucker.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Cynthia Tucker</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://fryegaillardauthor.com/bio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Frye Gaillard&nbsp;</a>for a special interview panel exploring history, culture, storytelling, and the power of preserving our collective memory. This will be more than an awards celebration&mdash;it will be an unforgettable gathering of art, culture, conversation, community, fine dining, and live music. Dress is&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://1drv.ms/w/c/6fb2d2c6d92cfec0/IQCNw9FOFsumRJ2H9ZdGgCtXAXaSo6Q435enhGErwusf_IQ?e=FfCqwl" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">FESTIVE</a>&nbsp;attire.&nbsp;🌟 Purchase your tickets, mark your calendar, and don&rsquo;t miss what promises to be Mobile, Alabama&rsquo;s cultural event of the year! Sponsorship opportunities available!!

✨ MOBILE, GET READY FOR THE CULTURAL EVENT OF THE YEAR! ✨ The Friends of the African American Heritage Trail proudly presents the 2026 Griot Awards, Thursday, November 12, at the University of South Alabama Alumni Center’s McGhee Grand Ballroom! 🏆 This year, we honor Mobile’s own internationally renowned ceramist and sculptor <a href="https://mobilebaykeeper.org/a-mobile-style/" target="_blank">Charles Smith</a>, while welcoming <a href="https://www.clintsmithiii.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Clint Smith</a>, New York Times bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed and one of the nation’s leading writers, scholars, and poets, as our keynote speaker. 📚🎤 The evening becomes even more extraordinary as Dr. Smith joins acclaimed writers <a href="https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/english/faculty/tucker.html" target="_blank">Cynthia Tucker</a> and <a href="https://fryegaillardauthor.com/bio/" target="_blank">Frye Gaillard </a>for a special interview panel exploring history, culture, storytelling, and the power of preserving our collective memory. This will be more than an awards celebration—it will be an unforgettable gathering of art, culture, conversation, community, fine dining, and live music. Dress is <a href="https://1drv.ms/w/c/6fb2d2c6d92cfec0/IQCNw9FOFsumRJ2H9ZdGgCtXAXaSo6Q435enhGErwusf_IQ?e=FfCqwl" target="_blank">FESTIVE</a> attire. 🌟 Purchase your tickets, mark your calendar, and don’t miss what promises to be Mobile, Alabama’s cultural event of the year! Sponsorship opportunities available!!

Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail

2026 Griot Awards

100 Alumni Dr

General Admission

$75

VIP Admission

$100

Presenting Sponsor

$5,000

Legacy Sponsor

$2,500

Griot Sponsor

$1,000

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