The Troy United Women’s League will host its 27th Annual Black History Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Troy University Trojan Center.

Shelia Deveridge, League publicity chair, said only 300 tickets will be sold and they are going fast. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling 334-670-2585 or 372-0768.

Deveridge said the TUWL members are excited that Montgomery radio personality Connye Bryant accepted their invitation to speak at this year’s banquet.

“Connye Bryant is a dynamic speaker and we know that everyone will truly enjoy what she has to say,” Deveridge said. “Connye is a popular radio personality and also a promoter of gospel music.”

Bryant’s radio career started in 1987 as the voice for Calhoun Foods chain of stores in Montgomery, Selma and Tuskegee. She landed her first on-air position in 1992 as the host of ‘Perfect Praise,’ a gospel music program.

Deveridge said Bryant has served on several announcers’ organizations. She was nominated as Radio and Records Personality for 2008, a national recognition. Among her other recognitions are McDonald’s Spiritual Fruit Announcer, Montgomery’s Gospel Choice Awards Gospel Announcer of the Year, Alabama’s People’s Choice Awards Announcer of the Year and Montgomery’s Gospel Praise Awards Radio Personality of the Year.

Bryant has been with Clear Channel Communications since 1998. While serving as program and music director for 104.3, she has brought great artists like Pastor Marvin Sapp and Bishop Rance Allen to the city.

In the Montgomery area, Bryant is known as the “Queen of Gospel.” She has shared the stage with great artists including The Williams Brothers, The Canton Spirituals and The Christian Aires.

“We are extremely proud and honored to have Connye Bryant as our guest speaker as celebrate 27 years of serving the Troy and Pike County communities,” Deveridge said. Each year, the TUWL sponsors 12 scholarships that are awarded to seniors at local high schools. The League provides Christmas for three families each year and 25 Thanksgiving baskets.

The TUWL also make donations to the basketball and softball programs at Charles Henderson, Goshen and Pike County high schools and purchases ads in the schools’ yearbooks.

“We donate funds to families whose loved ones are going through cancer treatments,” Deveridge said. “We also donate funds for the burial of a member of an indigent family that is unable to pay. We help in every way we can.

“The Troy United Women’s League would like to thank the Pike County community for supporting our banquet for 27 years,” Deveridge said. “We are here to help the community and could not do so without everyone supporting us.”