ATLANTA - eTradeWire -- Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) announces that Ambassador Andrew J. Young, renowned civil rights leader, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Mayor of Atlanta, and Virginia W. Harris, National President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the 11th Annual LEDI International Life Changers Awards and Fundraising Gala on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the elegant Grand Ballroom of the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel.

Under the theme "We Are The Light," this elegant black-tie and red-carpet Gala will bring together business and civic leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, professionals and community changemakers for an evening of recognition, powerful connections and new opportunities. For those attending, it will be an opportunity to build meaningful networks, celebrate exceptional leaders whose influence and service are changing lives while supporting LEDI's mission "to reduce poverty and change lives."

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Ambassador Young, a renowned civil rights icon and a former close adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has served in the US Congress, as a United Nations Ambassador and as Mayor of Atlanta. Ambassador Young is also a 2023 recipient of the LEDI International Life Changers Award.

As National President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Virginia Harris leads an influential national organization advancing Black women and girls through leadership development and advocacy in education, health and economic empowerment. The 2026 Gala marks her second consecutive year serving as Honorary Co-Chair.

"Ambassador Young and Mrs. Harris exemplify the very spirit of the Life Changers Awards through their extraordinary records of leadership and service," said Joan Curran Darkortey, CEO and Co-Founder of LEDI. "Together, they reflect the caliber of leadership, service and impact that has become synonymous with the LEDI International Life Changers Awards."

The October 24 Gala will build on that tradition in an atmosphere of elegance, celebration and connection. Guests will have an opportunity to meet, network, and reconnect with the 2026 Honorees and accomplished leaders across business, philanthropy and community leadership.

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The evening will also advance LEDI's life-changing work in Atlanta and internationally through education, literacy, scholarships, technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, youth and community empowerment, and economic opportunity. In Liberia, LEDI is currently constructing a multimillion-dollar modern state-of-the-art public Library and Technology Center envisioned as a regional hub of excellence for literacy, digital learning, technology, artificial intelligence, and opportunity for future generations.

For businesses, foundations and institutions, the Gala offers an opportunity to support literacy, technology, health innovation, and economic development with local and global impact.

"There are evenings we attend, and there are evenings we remember," Darkortey said. "We believe October 24 will be one of those special evenings. We invite Atlanta and friends from across the country and around the world to be in the room."

The Gala begins at 5:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel in College Park, Georgia. For Gala information, attendance and sponsorship opportunities, visit https://www.ledifundraiser.org.