SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Earl T. Shinhoster Youth Leadership Foundation celebrated its 15/25 Jubilee at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum.

The event marked 25 years since Shinhoster’s death and 15 years since the foundation was established. The evening began with music from the Nunfula Guardians of the Culture, Abu Majied, Yusuf Major and local duo, The Akhis.

A silent auction was also held. ‘s very own Kim Gusby served as mistress of ceremonies.

The organization presented its Earl T. Shinhoster Youth Leadership Foundation’s Legacy and Leadership Award to the following honorees:

• Dr. William Jamerson III, who served as chairman of the museum’s board when the institute began, welcomed the use of the Annex as the program’s first site.
• Vaughnette Goode-Walker, who supported the institute, guided tours for participants and completed the museum’s exhibit room honoring Shinhoster.
• Amir Jamal Toure, who regularly spoke and gave tours for youth over the past 15 years.
• Mayor Pro-Tem Estella Edwards Shabazz, who championed a group of young men from the institute, who in 2011, urged the city to prohibit parking along River Street, where ensalved people were believed to have been held. Display panels now stand near the Clusky Embankments as a result.
• Ernestine Small sent three grandsons to the institute and later provided scholarships for other youth, including two this year.
• Helen Johnson, who was the executive director of the museum when Shinhoster died, helped establish the Earl T. Shinhoster Resource Learning Center with donated funds.

The program also featured the debut performance of Shinhoster’s poetry, Invitation to Openness. The poems were recently discovered in a notebook and will be published in a collection later this year.