Lionel Richie to Perform at Grand Opening of New Tuskegee Airmen Historical Site

The Friends of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (NHS), Inc. recently announced that Grammy-Award winning singer...

and songwriter Lionel Richie will return home to perform during the Tuskegee Airmen Gala Reception and Banquet on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the Renaissance Convention Center in Montgomery, Ala. Richie, a native of Tuskegee and graduate of Tuskegee University, is scheduled to return to the United States from a tour in the Middle East to perform for the Airmen during the Grand Opening weekend of the new Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field. Harold Boone, Vice President of Community Development for the Chamber, is Chair of the Local Host Committee.

The Gala, hosted by the Friends of the Tuskegee Airmen (NHS), will consist of a reception with seating for 1,200 people and will include tributes to the Tuskegee Airmen from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI), Negro Airmen International, Inc. (NAI), the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) and the Black Pilots of America (BPA).

"It's going to be a glittering affair," said Tuskegee Attorney Milton C. Davis, Chairman of the Gala Reception and Banquet Committee for the Friends of the Tuskegee Airmen NHS. "It will truly be something to behold." The Gala will also feature Federal, State and Local dignitaries and military leaders and will seat students from area schools in Montgomery and Macon counties.

In addition to the Gala Reception and Banquet where Richie will perform, the three-day Grand Opening on October 10 through October 12, 2008 will feature static aircraft displays, panel discussions with Original Tuskegee Airmen, guided tours of the site for the public, theatrical productions of Lonely Eagles and Porgy and Bess and a celebration in the Downtown Tuskegee Square.

The new Tuskegee Airmen NHS is a multi-million dollar project that features the restoration of Hangars No. 1 and 2 at Moton Field to historic specifications brought about through a legislative partnership between Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Tuskegee University and the National Park Service.

The event is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC, Victoryland, the Utilities Board of Tuskegee, Alfa Insurance and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. For more information on the Tuskegee Airmen Gala Reception and Banquet, contact Attorney Milton C. Davis at (334) 727-6500 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Harold Boone at (334) 262-2261 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .


For more information on the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce visit montgomerychamber.com