On Saturday Feb. 4, local organization ConnectAbility held its annual Clifford Hudson Memorial Talent Show at the Dawson County High School Performing Arts Center, allowing performers of all abilities the chance to take the spotlight and showcase their talents. 

ConnectAbility, Inc. is a Dahlonega-based organization dedicated to creating a community for families affected by disabilities. ConnectAbility’s goal is to create communities where people of all abilities are valued, included and empowered, and one of the ways the organization accomplishes this goal is through events like the talent show, which allows anyone of any ability the chance to take the stage and perform.  

“Our talent show is just an opportunity for us to open up the stage to performers of all abilities who have something unique and fun to share, so we have individual and group acts and it just runs the gamut,” ConnectAbility Executive Director Jacqueline Daniel said. “Part of the mission of our organization is we believe that everybody has a gift to share, and we just want to provide a stage and an opportunity for everybody to share their gift.”

The talent show has taken place every year for over a decade, and several years ago it was renamed in memory of Clifford Hudson, one of the show’s participants who passed away.

“Clifford Hudson was one of our participants who passed away several years ago and he had a lot of physical challenges, but when it was time for the talent show he sang his heart out,” Daniel said. “He had a lot of communication challenges too but he loved to sing and just the enthusiasm and the heart that he put into his singing was really inspirational to us. We had a talent show when he was still alive, but in memory of him we just want to remember the amazing talents that he shared with us.” 

Rhonda Hudson Roshau, Clifford’s mother, was in attendance at the talent show with the rest of her family. She said that seeing the show every year is exciting for her, and that seeing it renamed after her son is especially special. 

“The first talent show that Clifford was involved with, our family wasn’t sure what he would do, but he got up there and just blew everybody away with his singing,” she said. "It was amazing; he got a standing ovation and every year after that he did it. I am so glad that the talent show has continued and progressed this far to give all of the entertainers a chance to know that they mean something and that they can give their talents to everybody because they don’t typically get that chance.”

In addition to the talent show, ConnectAbility holds several other events throughout the year, including a 5K, a photography exhibit and other community-based events. For more information about the organization, go to https://connectabilityinc.org/.