Organization, and Citizens for Better Service, but rather than admit that, Barbara would rather honor those who are known for taking outstanding roles in Memphis’s community affairs. For the past three years, she has put on the Annual Harriet Tubman Living Legends Award Ceremony through the Cooper/Jones Initiative (formerly known as the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Conference on Economics, Health, and Education). Cooper was preceded by State Rep. Rufus E. Jones and the initiative and ceremony honors Memphians who are considered “go to” people due to their “care for mankind, commitment to human progress, and willingness to get things done.” The honorees were separated and chosen in six categories, Community Conductors, Economic Development, Education, Environmental, Health, and Leadership. The forty-eight (48) 2020 awardees, by category, are as follows: COMMUNITY CONDUCTORS Dr. David & Yvonne Acey, Africa in April Sarah Carpenter, Commission on Religion and Race Relations Chris Dean, Community Organizer and Film Maker Rev. LaSimba Gray, Ret. Pastor, New Sardis Baptist Church Mother Georgia Anna King, Community Activist Coach Jerry C. Johnson, Ret. LeMoyne-Owen College Basketball Coach Thelma J. Nelms, Mission Possible: Christian Outreach Service Mission Christine Taylor-Moore, DMC Mark Stansbury, WDIA Clyde R. Venson, Memphis Cotton Makers’ Jubilee Rev. Melvin Watkins Jr., Sr. Pastor, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Westwood ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Dr. Carnita Atwater, Kukutana African American History & Cultural Museum of Memphis Janice Gray, State Farm Agent Willie Harper, CEO Southbrook Towne Center Mabra Holeyfield, West Tennessee Venture Capital Corporation Brenda Tate, Real Estate Developer Leslie Smith-Thomas , Owner, Brickwood Hall/Real Estate Developer Pearl Eva Walker, Entrepreneur EDUCATION Dr. Austin Emeagwai, Professor, LeMoyne-Owen College/International Leader of Nigeria Kevin Potts, Frayser Community Schools Dr. Isaac Richmond, National Director, Commission on Religion and Racism Keith O. Williams, Executive Director, Memphis-Shelby County Education Association Continued on Page 24 19
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