October brings special honors for some local leaders who either broke racial barriers or are champions of the arts in Middle Georgia.
The James Wimberly Institute of Black Studies and History shifted this year’s Racial Barrier Breakers Celebration to Saturday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m. at the Anderson Conference Center in part to underscore that “African American and African diaspora history should be honored year-round,” Founder and President Henry Ficklin explained in a news release.
The celebration had its origins in February’s Black History Month, and last year moved to June, which is now full of Juneteenth celebrations.
“We enjoy the fact that so many celebrations are in place to honor the culture, history, and legacy of African Americans,” Ficklin stated in the release. “We often hear that Black History—which is American History—should be celebrated all year, so we have added an additional month to the celebration.”
He noted that England celebrates Black History Month in October and the Wimberly Institute joins in the growing international recognition, he said.
This year, the institute honors State Sen. David Lucas’ “record-setting legacy of leadership and advocacy for Middle Georgia” in his 50th year serving in the Georgia General Assembly, and civil rights champion Myrna Davis Bell.
Additional Honorees:
- Alex Habersham, first Black tax assessor
- Thelma Dillard, first Black member of the Regional Commission
- Harold Young, first Black executive director of the Tubman Museum
- Quintress Gilbert, first Black judge of Bibb County Juvenile Court
- Zack Dozier, owner of first law firm to name Black partner
- Troy Young, first Black real estate agent
- George Muhammad
- Ecleamus Ricks
- Diane Hayes Scott
- Walter Searcy
- Judge Cheferre Young
The banquet features former Georgia Commissioner of Labor Michael Thurmond as keynote speaker and tickets are $65, which includes live music performed by the LDM Band.
Arts Alliance Cultural Awards
Co-founder of R.E.M., Mike Mills is slated to receive one of the Macon Arts Alliance’s highest honors — the Zelma and Otis Redding Spirit of Community Award, which is “given to a person of tremendous talent who gives back to our community in a big way.”
Internationally-acclaimed violinist Robert McDuffie, who collaborated with Mills and keyboardist Chuck Leavell for the Emmy Award-winning “Night of Georgia Music,” is the only other recipient of this honor in the alliance’s 40-year history.
The Alliance’s Cultural Awards has honored dozens of individuals, organizations, and businesses for their “significant contributions to the cultural life of Central Georgia through their work or philanthropic efforts.”
The 2025 honorees are: Grant’s Lounge, Mercer University’s Senior Vice President for Marketing Communications and Chief of Staff Larry Brumley, musician Newton Collier, Big Hair Productions’ owner Tabitha Lynne Walker, who also co-founded the Macon Film Festival.
The Cultural Awards at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center on Thursday, Oct. 23, begin with a 5:30 p.m. reception before the 6 p.m. ceremony.
Past honorees of the Macon Arts Alliance are encouraged to attend and wear their medals.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County governmental entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
