Several years ago, Tougaloo alumni Dr. Roy L. Irons and Ms. Gwen Winters, attended a fundraising gala in Memphis, Tennessee, to benefit LeMoyne- Owens College. Former Memphis City Council Jerome Rubin, after attending a multi-tiered electric evening of musical talent attended by several thousands of people in Boston, Massachusetts, had the brilliant idea of creating a grand fundraising event anchored by local national musical talent to benefit LeMoyne-Owens College. Inspired by the event’s success, Mr. Rubin shared his idea with TRUST Marketing, Inc., whose principals advised him to brand the conceived event.
 Armed with a great logo and substantive idea, Mr. Rubin convinced Time Warner of the veracity of the idea and proceeded to rally a cadre of other supporters to contribute their influence, money and resources to creating a successful event. The event has grown from one that generated
about $40,000 in year one, to one of Memphis’s primer events attracting a diverse local audience and supporters from as far as Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Los Angeles.
In February 2002, the event generated over $100,000 for LeMoyne-Owens College. Upon returning to Jackson, Dr. Irons and Ms. Winters wasted no time mobilizing other Mississippians including Worth Thomas, Fred Alexander, Beverly Williams, Roosevelt Turner, Connie Baird Thomas, and Lorma Miller to plan a similar event to benefit Tougaloo College.
 Garnering the support of other Tougalooians, friends, and a host of other local businesses including BELLSOUTH, Mississippi Power Gulfport, the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Nissan, and Time Warner Cable, a steering committee was formed and the idea of the Two Rivers Gala became reality.
The goals for the Two Rivers Gala are to:
- Bring together a diverse group of Mississippians who want to have fun at a black-tie event
- Provide great entertainment showcasing a variety of national and Mississippi musical talent
- Raise fund for Tougaloo College
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