VALDOSTA – A new piece of history was introduced Friday during the 100 Black Men of Valdosta’s 22nd Annual Black Tie Banquet at Valdosta Middle School. Mayor John Gayle presented keynote speaker Samuel M. Matchett with the key to the city. 

Matchett, a former Valdosta resident, is a partner at King and Spaulding’s Atlanta Labor and Employment Practice Group. He is highly regarded for his defense of the Civil Rights Acts, according to kslaw.com. 

Matchett is listed in the 2012 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” as a leading labor and employment lawyer. “Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” praised his “extensive expertise in civil rights and discrimination litigation.”

While it was not the first time Gayle has bestowed a key to the city, he said this time was different.”I’ve only presented three keys to the city, and this is the one I’m most proud of,” Gayle said. “You (Matchett) are local and homegrown. You have made Valdosta proud.” 

Matchett is a 1976 Lowndes High School graduate.Matchett said as a lawyer, it’s rare to be at a loss for words. This was one of those moments.

“I’m overwhelmed,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed with the honor of it all. The mayor’s words were incredibly touching to me. With the rareness of keys to the city, and me being one of the recipients, this is as large an honor as I’ve ever received in my life and I’m very appreciative of it.”

Matchett is a lifelong friend of Valdosta attorney Roy Copeland, immediate past president of the 100 and presenter at the banquet. During the presentation, Copeland and Matchett reminisced about the early days of a blossoming bond: from working through 100-degree weather in the tobacco fields, to their journey at Lowndes High, to their days together in law school at the University of Georgia. With his family filling three rows left of the stage, Matchett delivered a speech centered on educating youth. He said the world’s problems can be solved through education and challenged Valdosta to be the igniter of a bigger movement. “When a parent shows interest in a child’s education, a child does well,” Matchett said. “It doesn’t matter the social economic level; it doesn’t matter the level of education the parent has. The child responds to the parent showing consistent interest in the child doing well. I’d love to see a national campaign started here in Valdosta.”

He continued by praising the work of the 100, emphasizing the work it does for the community.

“I am in awe, inspired at what you do,” Matchett said. “You are the calm, wise voice for many young people. You enrich so many lives. You are the people who made Valdosta ‘Winnersville’.”

Matchett was given the mayor’s coin as a personal tribute, a gesture Gayle said is reserved for “special people.” The 100 awarded him the Crystal Flame, given each year to the banquet’s speaker.

Before current 100 President Nathaniel Haugabrook’s closing remarks, Angela Greer and Karla L. Walker were each presented a community service award.During dinner, Isaac Pryce and Josh Willis serenaded the 175-person crowd on tenor saxophone and keyboard, respectively.

The Black Tie Banquet is one of eight annual programs hosted by the 100 Black Men of Valdosta. The 100 will hold its barbecue cook-off competition Aug. 6.