The 2012 Induction Ceremony will be held on October 1 at the Raleigh Convention Center

The 2012 Inductees announced May 1, 2012 to the Raleigh City Council

INDIVIDUALS

J. Allen Adams – Worked for equality and justice for minorities in education and the workplace; championed public arts investment in Raleigh and across the State; progressive civic leader for libraries, museums and Downtown Raleigh.

Carol Williams Bilbro – Teacher, musician and passionate arts advocate providing critical leadership for Raleigh Fine Arts, Raleigh Arts Commission and NC Symphony just to name a few.  Guiding voice for promoting teen health and teen leadership programs. Former Miss Raleigh.

Robert Hodges Bilbro -- Visionary physician and advocate for Raleigh’s disenfranchised citizens.  Pioneering leader and volunteer for The Open Door Clinic, The Healing Place, and Allied Medical Ministries.

Ralph Edwards Capps – Executive Director of Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County for nearly 40 years, compassionately growing the impact from 200 children at one location to over 4,300 today at 7 locations. More than a job, he has demonstrated leadership, selflessness and single-minded dedication to improve the lives of young people.

Mary Ingram Cates – Wise civic leader and pioneering advocate for neighborhood involvement in the City planning process.  Five term Raleigh City Councillor.  Key founder of Community Music School, Raleigh City Museum, Raleigh Hall of Fame and the Dickens Fair.

Charles Reece “Charlie” Gaddy – Iconic Raleigh newsman and award-winning anchor for WRAL-TV for over 25 years.  Champion for raising millions to support special-needs children through groups such as United Cerebral Palsy, Children’s Miracle Network, Cued Speech Center and WRAL’s Partners Auction.

Vernon Malone (deceased) – Towering statesman and community leader for education, good government and wise public investment. School Board Chair, County Commission Chair and NC Senator.  Carefully and brilliantly guided the merger of Raleigh and Wake Schools toward a world-class public school system.

Robert L. McMillan – “Dean” of the Wake County Criminal Bar, Raleigh native, WWII veteran, and legendary storyteller, attorney mentor, Sunday school teacher and scoutmaster. Key driver in the development of the Raleigh Farmer’s Market and Mordecai Historic Park. 

Assad Meymandi – Extraordinary and unparalleled philanthropist for the arts and humanities in Raleigh.  Provided the lead gifts to develop the world-class Meymandi Concert Hall for the NC Symphony in honor of his mother, and the breathtaking Meymandi Exhibition Gallery at the NC Museum of Art in honor of his father.

Sylvia Ruby (deceased) – Courageous voice for desegregation in the public schools. Dedicated leader in the Jewish community, pioneering female leader for United Way, Commission on the Status of Women, and the Catholic Orphanage.

CENTENNIALS

The Hall of Fame also inducts famous Raleigh contributors from an earlier era in Raleigh history.  These inductees are called Centennials.  This year’s Centennial Inductee is:

Henry Jerome Brown  -- Founder in 1836 of what is now known as Brown-Wynne Funeral Home – the oldest continuously operating business in Raleigh.

ORGANIZATIONS

Raleigh Host Lions Club -- Since 1922, providing funding and volunteers in support of the less fortunate, especially in the area of services to the blind and visually impaired.  Developed Lion’s Park, the annual North Carolina State Championship Horse Show and the Raleigh Lion’s Clinic for the Blind which now provides 165 jobs for our visually impaired citizens.

Kiwanis Club of Raleigh – Ninety-two year old Raleigh service club with a long legacy of service to others, especially in the area of supporting children’s issues through programs like Kiwanis K–Kids, Key Club, Foster Children’s Shoe Program and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Please join the Board of the Raleigh Hall of Fame in saluting these outstanding Raleigh contributors.