DeKalb History Center to honor community champions
- 1/30/12
- Categorized in: DeKalb News
The DeKalb History Center will host its fifth annual Black History Month Celebration by honoring five DeKalb County leaders—Sheriff-Elect Derwin Brown, Dr. William C. Brown, John Evans, William “Buck” Godfrey and Gregory B. Levett Sr.
Derwin Brown, who ran for office on a promise to remove corruption in the DeKalb County Police Department, was gunned down in the driveway of his home days before he was to have been sworn into office.
Educator William C. Brown was the first African American to serve on the county’s Library Board of Trustees.
Evans, a former county commissioner and former president of the DeKalb branch of the NAACP, continues his community involvement as president of Operation LEAD, an organization he founded.
Godfrey, the first Black football coach at Southwest DeKalb High School, has won 258 games in 28 seasons and was inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Levett, a business executive, community leader and philanthropist, has along with family members donated more than $1 million to charities and organizations.
These individuals are among the “Community Champions” recognized in the history center’s temporary exhibit presented in conjunction with The Champion newspaper. The event is sponsored in part by the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The celebration will take place at the historic DeKalb County Courthouse in Decatur on Thursday, Feb. 9. Champion Publisher Carolyn Glenn will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The annual event begins at 11:30 a.m. and includes a seated luncheon and entertainment. Tickets are required and seating is limited. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Sponsorships are still available.
For more information, call (404) 373-1088 or visit www.dekalbhistory.org.
