Story and photography By Marcy Anderson Sanford

The Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) celebrated its annual Equal Opportunity Awards Gala with a new “red carpet” experience. The gala is the most significant fundraiser for KAUL and with a new theme and experience, the 2026 event offered guests an evening designed to celebrate community leaders while creating new opportunities to connect, engage and have fun. Guests enjoyed dancing, auctions, contests and the presentation of KAUL’s annual awards: Volunteer of the Year, Minority Business of the Year, Corporate Leadership Award and the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. The Knoxville Area Urban League empowers individuals and families to achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power and civil rights. The organization promotes economic empowerment through education and job training, housing and community development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, health and quality of life.