Late this morning a crowd will gather in downtown Birmingham to honor some of the civil rights movement’s most unsung heroes – women – while welcoming prominent author, television host, and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant to the city. Harry Belafonte, fresh off his honorary induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame last night, will also be in attendance at today’s Power Belle Hats Tea at the BJCC south ballroom.

Belafonte will be representing the Southern Christian Leadership Foundation (SCL) , a non-profit organization established in 1966 by Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to “promote and impact sustainable and healthy communities through development and implementation of wellness, and educational initiatives.”

He and Vanzant will hand out several awards at the $80 per person awards ceremony. The recipients of the nine Power Belle Legacy Awards and the Power Belle Lifetime Achievement Award range in age from 75 to 102 according to the media advisory sent out earlier this week. The eight recipients of the Power Belle Bold Hat Awards, were selected due to their “ following the tradition of courageous and gallant action that improves the lives of others.”

Considering this description of the event shared by the SCL, it’s a powerful honor indeed.