A Change Gonna’ Come

1,300 attended a luncheon held by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC) at the Duke Energy Center to watch His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama receive the NURFC’s International Freedom Conductor Award (IFCA). The Dalai Lama Received the IFCA honor, spoke, and answered audience questions at the luncheon event. The award is given to recognize the contributions of contemporary individuals who, by their actions and personal examples, reflect the spirit and courageous actions of conductors on the historic Underground Railroad. The Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr., Presiding Co-Chair of the NURFC Board of Directors, had the privilege of presenting the IFCA to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. In bestowing his own honors, His Holiness presented "khatas" to several in attendance. These Tibetan ceremonial scarves were presented to Gwen Ifill, Donald W. Murphy and Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. The Joseph J. Schott Foundation, Francie and Tom Hiltz, served as Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 IFCA. The afternoon's invocation was delivered by The Rev. Darryl Woods and by Geshe Chogkhan T. Tandhar. Freedom Center President and CEO Donald W. Murphy welcomed guests who were then treated to McKenzie Mack's performance of "A Change Gonna' Come.