Our First Year: For the Dean, Nothing but the Best

Editor's Note: Cascade Patch celebrates its first anniversary this month. This photo gallery, by photojournalist Dana Finklea, is one of today's "Our First Year" features. It first ran Oct. 10, 2011.

It was an affair to remember Sunday night. Celebrities, entertainers and political and social justice leaders from Atlanta and across the country converged at Atlanta Symphony Hall to honor Cascade Heights civil rights legend who turned 90 on Oct. 6.

The event, entitled "His Words, Our Gift," featured music, tributes and dramatic enterpretations of his words. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,  directed by Dr. Henry Panion III, played throughout the presentation.

According to a report by Channel 11 News, Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson announced the dedication of a 757 that bears Lowery's signature. The plane will carry him to the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument dedication in Washington, D.C. next week, the report said.

Stevie Wonder led a birthday tribute to the former pastor and Atty. Gen. Eric Holder was among those who spoke about Lowery's legacy. Among the video taped birthday wishes were the faces of President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou and President Jimmy Carter.

Here is a Cascade Patch photo gallery of the event presented by southwest Atlanta photographer and Cascade Patch correspondent Dana Finklea.