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From left, Margaret Brown, Phillipa Brown, Gregory B. Levett, Brandy Brown Rhodes, Betty Levett, Carolyn Glenn, John Evans, Melissa Forgey and William (Buck) Godfrey. Photo by John Hewitt

Five people were honored Feb. 9 at the DeKalb History Center’s fifth annual Black History Month Celebration.

Sheriff-Elect Derwin Brown posthumously, Dr. William C. Brown posthumously, John Evans, William “Buck” Godfrey and Gregory B. Levett Sr. were recognized at the lunchtime event at the history center. Champion Newspaper publisher Carolyn Glenn was mistress of ceremonies.

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 sworn into office. Brown’s daughter Brandy accepted her father’s award.

Educator William C. Brown was the first African American to serve on the county’s Library Board of Trustees. He was also elected to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and from 1991-93 served as the first president of 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, which he founded. Brown’s daughter Phillipa accepted his award.

Evans, a former county commissioner and 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, 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 was sponsored in part by the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau.