Terrence Howard, one of the stars of Red Tails, a film about the Tuskegee Airmen, will headline Case Western Reserve University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs’ 22nd Annual Unity Banquet and Scholarship Benefit on Friday, April 13.
Howard, who grew up in Cleveland, will return to his hometown for the event, which recognizes the achievements of underrepresented students (African American, Latino, Pacific Islander and Native American). His role in Red Tails came to the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ attention when its “Diversity Outside the Classroom” event viewed the film.
Red Tails chronicles the WWII experience of an elite African American fighter pilot squad. The men flew missions over North Africa and Italy, accompanying some of the white bomber pilots in the Air Corps.
The movie has a special significance for the Case Western Reserve community. Four Airmen serving in WWII returned home to receive their degrees from the university:
- Joe Burrucker (MSASS, MSSA,’66)
- John Brister Turner (MSASS, MSSA ’48, PhD ’59)
- Theodore Mason (Adelbert, BA ’47, Dental, DDS ’50)
- Benjamin Bullock, Jr. (Dental, DDS ’50)
“Terrence Howard didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation to address this event that raises scholarship funds for underrepresented students. We will be honored with his presence,” said Deborale Richardson-Bouie, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Howard has made a name for himself in Hollywood as a Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee for his roles in Hustle & Flow and Crash. He also received accolades for roles in Ray, Pride, The Brave One, August Rush and Ironman.
His television credits include Jackie Jackson in the ABC miniseries, The Jacksons: An American Dream, Living Single, NYPD Blue, and Law and Order: Los Angeles.
He also has made it to Broadway in the all African-American production of a Tennessee Williams’ A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
The dinner and program will begin at 7 p.m. at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.
Advance tickets are available online for $70, if purchased before March 23; $80, March 24 to April 6; and $85, April 7 to 11.
For information, call 216.368.2904 or visit studentaffairs.case.edu/events/unitybanquet/.