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Local Non-Profit To Honor Legacy Of Nelson Mandela

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Martin Luther King Association is finalizing preparations for its 32nd annual awards and benefits luncheon on the MLK holiday.

At the event, Nelson Mandela will receive the Drum Major for Freedom award posthumously.

"We consider Nelson Mandela to be one of the greatest drum majors for freedom that the world has ever witnessed," MLK Association President Bill Tucker says.

bill tucker
Bill Tucker, President of the MLK association. (Credit: Cherri Gregg)

Tucker says the world lost a great leader and Mandela's sacrifices for freedom make him the perfect honoree on a day that celebrates the legacy of Dr. King:

"It's joining the legacy of two icons of freedom."

The South African General Counsel will accept the award on behalf of the Mandela family.

Other drum major honorees for Monday's luncheon include Charisse Lillie of the Comcast Foundation, Dean Weitzman of MyPhillyLawyer and Dr. Joshua Feldstein former president of Delaware Valley College.

The luncheon runs from noon until 3pm at the Sheraton downtown. For tickets, go to www.philadelphiamlk.org.

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