Here are the honorees featured in TCC's 23rd annual African-American history calendar
As Tallahassee Community College unveils its 23rd annual Cherry Hall Alexander African-American History Calendar, local honorees are highlighted for their recognizable work in the community.
For the first time since 2020 — due to the coronavirus pandemic — the unveiling was held in person Monday evening at TCC’s Turner Auditorium.
With this year’s calendar theme being “Freedom, Justice, Equality,” the college will acknowledge Black individuals in Leon and surrounding counties who show a commitment to making a difference through areas such as advocacy, education, health and wellness, athletics and social services.
Past themes include "Black Heath and Wellness" in 2022 and "The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” in 2021.
Previous annual calendar honorees:TCC announces Cherry Hall Alexander African American History Calendar honorees
More:TCC unveils 2021 Cherry Hall Alexander African American History Calendar honorees
The initiative was renamed in honor of its founder Cherry Hall Alexander — a former director of TCC’s Library Services who spearheaded the college’s Black History Month activities — upon her retirement from the college in 2009.
Since the annual calendar’s beginning in 2001, a community leader has been honored for each month of the year, along with a President’s Award honoree and student highlights.
The calendars are free and will be available at TCC’s Hinson Administration Building Tuesday starting at noon. The almanacs can also be picked up in bulk by contacting the African American History Calendar Committee at AAHMC@tcc.fl.edu.
Other TCC news:TCC president signs onto statement rejecting Critical Race Theory, related diversity programs
This year's honorees are:
Althemese Pemberton Barnes (President’s Award): Barnes is the founder and former executive director of the John G. Riley Center and Museum, which is the first community-based African American museum in Tallahassee. She also founded the Florida African-American Heritage Preservation Network.
Pastor Lucius K. Wade, Sr. (February): Wade, senior pastor of Refuge House of God Apostolic Outreach Ministry in Monticello, has served in ministry for over 30 years. He also previously served as the assistant pastor of the city’s Holy Revival Center.
Lashawn Gordon (March): Gordon serves as the United Partners for Human Services’ director of strategic initiatives, where she supports over 200 nonprofit human service organizations.
Keshia M. Jenkins (April): Jenkins is the community engagement manager for The Children's Movement of Florida, and she is also the chapter chair for the Capital Area Chapter of the Florida Infant Mental Health Association.
Dr. Inika P. Williams (May): Williams, a former statewide director of the College Reach-Out Program, is the associate director of policy with the national nonprofit think tank called Attendance Works.
Pastor Deshone D. Hedrington (June): Hedrington is the assistant principal for Attendance at Leon High and serves as executive pastor of The Father’s House Unlimited Ministries, Inc. She also founded the nonprofit About My Father’s business, which assists underprivileged families and homeless individuals.
Dr. Andrea Oliver (July): Oliver, a member of the History faculty at TCC, has authored history books used in middle school classrooms nationwide.
Dr. Bruce W. Strouble (August): Professional sustainability advocate and anti-racism educator Strouble is the senior manager of Equitable Climate Resilience Projects at GroundWork USA.
Charles E. “Chuck” Hobbs, II (September): A former attorney and Pulitzer-nominated journalist, Hobbs has had columns and editorials published in publications including Capital Outlook, Tallahassee Democrat, New York Times and Florida Times-Union.
Dr. Bryan K. Hooper, Jr. (October): Hooper, TCC’s dean of Social Sciences, serves as the advisor for Black Male Achievers, which is a program that provides academic and personal support for minority men. He also played a significant role in re-establishing the college’s Black Student Union.
Opal McKinney-Williams (November): McKinney-Williams, a senior attorney at Pittman Law Group, is also a Florida Bar Board certified specialist in Education Law and a member of the Florida School Board Attorneys Association.
Mary Bush Smith (December): A retired worker for the Florida Department of Revenue, Smith spends her time spreading the gospel through her love for music every Sunday morning during the Mary Bush Smith Gospel Hour on the radio station 93.3 WVFT-FM.
Sharon Ofuani (January 2024): A retired director of Equity and Workforce Development for the City of Tallahassee, Ofuani is the executive director of Big Bend Crime Stoppers.
Frank Brown (student honoree): Brown, a U.S. Army veteran and TCC graduate pursuing a degree in journalism at Florida A&M University, previously worked at the Richard W. and Karen B. Moore Veterans Success Center on TCC’s campus.
Katreva Yvette Cox (student honoree): Cox is a first-generation college student in TCC's Honors Program, spent 19 years working at a financial institution before attending TCC, where she currently pursues a degree in business finance.
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TCC announces its 23rd annual African-American history calendar honorees
