By Darragh Doiron

The News staff writer

BEAUMONT — Comedian and social activist Dick Gregory will appear Thursday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Cush magazine and the 15th year of Texas Black Pages.

“Looking Back, Looking Forward, Looking Black” is the theme for the event, to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Compro Event Center, 4155 W. Cardinal Drive. Tickets are $75.

Ricky Jason of Beaumont, who made the documentary “Byrd: The Life and Tragic Death of James Byrd Jr.,” which features Gregory, said he plans to attend and support Gregory.

“I’m just happy he’s here. He told me I needed to be in Hollywood,” Jason said. “I was nominated for some kind of award in New York. I’m not going to go. Mr. Gregory said he wanted to see me. Anything can happen, Jason said.

The documentary on the dragging death of Byrd in Jasper has “won lots of awards,” Jason said.

“I’m just so happy Mr. Gregory’s coming. He’s an icon,” he said.

Cush magazine features interviews, columns and spreads on area residents. Jessie Haynes and Tracie Payne are magazine spokespersons.

The event includes several levels of sponsorship, including the $10,000 diamond table, with reserved tables for 20 and 20 commemorative calendars and Cush table top books.

For information, call 212-1111.