Return to Honor: Gala To Uplift Black Men, Celebrate Cultural Pride, Takes Next Step
Pillars of Excellence awardees at the inaugural Return to Honor Gala in 2024. Photo courtesy of Return to Honor.
BY MADISON JOLLEY | For AC JosepH Media
DEPTFORD — When the Return to Honor Gala celebrates its second annual event on Sept. 13 at Adelphia’s, it will be sense of mission accomplished for Kaleena Randall, who wanted to see what effort it would take to reinstitute the “honor” of being a Black man.
As a mental health and addictions counselor, Randall spent more than a decade listening to men in crisis. Many of them were at transitional halfway homes while others were simply trying to survive in systems that rarely acknowledged their humanity.
Through quiet conversations, shared stories, and long silences, one truth kept surfacing — Black men were starving for honor.
“I began to see that honor was something men needed, like water,” Randall recently told FRNJ about the South Jersey-based nonprofit organization and effort to recognize African American men.
“Not praise, not fame. Just the feeling that who they are matters. And not for what they do, but for simply being who they are,” added Randall, who works at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
That understanding became the foundation of Return to Honor, a growing initiative that centers and uplifts African American men through a formal gala event. But more than a ceremony, it is meant to be a declaration.
Return to Honor aims to restore a culture where Black men are valued in their homes, their communities, and within themselves.
September’s gala seeks to build on a powerful debut celebration last year that brought together more than 70 attendees for a night of red-carpet entrances, family presentations, and emotional moments of recognition.
Randall, who serves as the founder and chair, has surrounded herself with a close-knit team of like-minded individuals who share the same vision.
Co-chair Hawa Johnson is a registered nurse care manager at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and longtime friend of Randall. She believes the work of Return to Honor is spiritual as much as it is cultural.
“This isn’t just a one-night event,” Johnson said. “It is a movement to return us to what was already ours. Honor has always been part of our culture. It is how we held each other in high esteem, before it was stripped away by systems that told our men they were not enough.”
Johnson explained that the focus on honoring African diaspora men comes from the centuries of erasure and systemic dishonor they have endured. The goal of the gala is to heal and reconnect. It is about reminding Black men that they are needed and seen.
Return to Honor operates under the umbrella of Randall’s nonprofit, Renovated Lives. Although still local, Randall and the board hope the initiative will grow into a national presence. The event itself is carefully designed to be immersive and meaningful.
Each honoree is escorted in by a family member or loved one. Families “pin” the men with a symbol of honor. Their stories are read aloud. There is an honor declaration for all men in the room, followed by a formal dinner and dancing to close out the night.
One of the men honored last year was Sharohn Johnson, a board member and longtime supporter of the mission. He shared that being celebrated in such a way was both overwhelming and deeply healing.
“In our community, as men, we’re taught not to show emotion,” Johnson said. “We’re expected to be strong, always. So to be recognized like that, in front of my family and my community, was powerful. It made me see myself differently. It made my family see me differently.”
Johnson recalled conversations he had with coworkers about how rare it is for men in his community to feel genuinely honored. He admitted that initially he felt a bit embarrassed or unworthy, which only emphasized the importance of what Return to Honor is trying to do.
“You know what you’ve done, but it’s different when someone tells you, ‘I see you,’” he said. “That night reminded me that recognition does not need to come from strangers or headlines. Sometimes it just needs to come from the people around you.”
Randall and her team experienced an unexpected challenge early on. Despite the positive energy surrounding the event, they struggled to gather nominations. Friends and families were hesitant. Some men declined because they felt they had not achieved enough to be recognized. Even men with advanced degrees, careers in education, and strong community roles expressed doubts that they were worthy of honor, Randall said.
“It broke my heart to hear those things,” Randall said. “We had a man with a PhD, a school principal, who turned down his nomination. He truly felt like he had not done enough. That shows how deeply dishonor has affected our men.”
Desire’ Somerville, another board member, emphasized how moving it was to witness every man in the room, not just the honorees, receive recognition.
“We pinned every man, even the servers,” Somerville said. “Everyone left knowing that who they are matters.”
That collective spirit is at the heart of Return to Honor. The organizers said they are not seeking attention from outside sources but building something internal, from the inside out.
This year’s program is expanding with intention. There are new nominees, including men recognized for being good neighbors and strong fathers. While the committee is still finalizing plans, the vision remains rooted in celebration and healing.
Randall said that their hope is to eventually see Return to Honor replicated in other cities. She wants to build a network of communities that believe in uplifting their men without conditions.
For now, she is focused on creating a space in South Jersey that speaks directly to the heart of what Black men need and deserve.
“This isn’t about perfection,” Randall said. “This is about restoration. We want every man who walks into that room to feel like he belongs, just as he is.”
For more information about the Return to Honor Gala, visit www.linktr.ee/returntohonorgala or follow the group on Instagram and Facebook @returntohonor.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was based on interviews conducted with Return to Honor members by Front Runner New Jersey Editor Clyde Hughes.
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Having attended this Gala in 2024, I have witnessed the amazing experience of gratitude over the faces every man in the room including my husband. As well as my son age 14, whom had commented after being pinned by his sister, “Mom, this is the first time I have gotten an award for just being me”. Just seeing his Black Boy Joy was well worth it!
I can’t wait for this years Gala. I will be there.
??THAT is one of my absolute FAVORITE moments and memories for the Gala! Thank you my Sister, for allowing us the HONOR to celebrate your Husband and your son!!
My husband and I were able to attend the first event. This brings sadness, tears to my eyes, and joy in my heart and soul. He’s no longer with me, but I was able to celebrate him truly truly celebrate and honor him at the first event and to have done that It’s just a beautiful memory. The event was absolutely awesome and he enjoyed himself immensely thank you thank you and thank you!!! Rest in Heaven my Forever Love!!!