DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — Main Street DeFuniak Springs, in partnership with the City of DeFuniak Springs, has announced its 20 honorees for the inaugural Black History Month Banner Program.
“Through trials and triumphs, these 20 honorees have made significant contributions to the betterment of the City of DeFuniak Springs,” said Chelsea Blaich, Executive Director of Main Street DeFuniak Springs.
“Banner programs like this one and our Veterans Program are a small gesture of appreciation and acknowledgment for the impact these individuals have on our community.”
The program, announced at the end of 2021, asked for nominations of “African American individuals who have impacted the City of DeFuniak Springs, Florida.”
The list of those recognized, available at https://mainstreetdfs.org, features various men and women with accolades in military service, education, community involvement, and professional achievements.
The 20 honorees are featured on ten lamp posts between S. 5th St. and S. 10th St. along Baldwin Avenue in Historic Downtown DeFuniak Springs.
The banners will be on display throughout the month of February, in honor of Black History Month, and into March.
Additionally, Main Street DeFuniak Springs is sharing the honorees and their stories on its social media channels and website. Follow @MainStreetDFS on Facebook or Instagram.
The list of honorees includes…
- Dr. James Barge
- Reverend Tyrone L. Broadus
- Alva O. “A.O.” Campbell
- Annie Ruth Campbell
- Benson “B.B.” Campbell
- Eldora Campbell
- Theophilius Preston “T.P.” Campbell
- Samuel “Rip” James Collins
- Willie “Boogie” Hall
- Chief Clinton Hooks
- Raymond L. Jackson
- Dr. Doris Laird Johnson
- Gladys Milton
- Robert “William” Paul
- Chief Ross Sheffield
- Dr. Cedric Sheffield
- Lois G. Washington
- Henry T. Wilkerson
- Mildred T. Wilkerson
- Arthur Woodard
This program was made possible through the support and generous contributions of Ashley Ambrose, Bethel Baptist Church, Reverend Tyrone Broadus, Norman Campbell, Eldora Campbell, Duston Cosson, DeFuniak Springs City Councilmember Kevin Crystal , Dawne Dries, Commissioner Danny Glidewell, Shelia Grimes, Candace Jones, Sandra Macon, Maria Milton, Robert Nelson, Glenda Paul-Ales, Ernest L. Powell, Billie Rice, Chief Ross Sheffield, Anthony Vallee, Lesa Washington-White, Mac Work, and Dr. Carolynn Zonia.
If you would like to be notified when the 2023 Black History Month Banner Program opens, please sign up to receive email correspondence at https://bit.ly/BHMBanners_NotifyMe.
