Black History Person and Youth of the Year Awards celebrate community leaders
The limitations and regulations imposed by COVID-19 did little to dampen the atmosphere of celebration and pride at the 7th Annual Black History Person and Youth of the Year presentation Friday night.
The awards ceremony, organized and presented by Meet Me at the Court and the Bailey Family, served to mark Black History Month by shining a spotlight on a group of Union County’s most community-minded citizens.
El Dorado Mayor Veronica SmithCreer served as the emcee for the event, introducing each speech and honoree, and City Council member Willie McGhee opened with a prayer.
The first speaker was certainly the youngest.
Kaleb Floyd, a 6-year-old Yocum Primary student who was later honored as Youth of the Year, recited from memory the song “Hey Black Child” by playwright Useni Eugene Perkins.
Next, speaker Jimmy Howard took to the stage to offer a speech touching on his thoughts on Black history locally and beyond, followed by a recitation of Martin Lu
ther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Howard, who mentioned his recent 83rd birthday during his speech, praised the honorees and organizer Veronica Bailey.
“These honorees are great choices. To Veronica Bailey - through snow, ice and COVID-19, she said the show marches on. We thank her for that,” Howard said.
The first honoree was Kaleb Floyd, Youth of the Year.
Bettie Elerson, a now-retired educator who taught for 34 years in the El Dorado School District, was honored next with the Education award.
“I want to say - the older I get the more I enjoy helping children to thrive. I thought I had patience when I was teaching; the Lord has given me even more patience with the little ones nowadays,” Elerson said.
Today, Elerson teaches the Women’s Bible Class at Douglas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, is a member of the Order of Eastern Star Pride of El Dorado, Chapter 352, and volunteers for holiday work for low-income families with children.
The next award was the Community award, presented by Smith-Creer to retired social worker Eugenia Boulden-Ford.
“It’s truly an honor to get this award… I want to thank Ms. Bailey for nominating me and choosing me, my family for being here and for the Lord for helping me do my job for 34 years,” Boulden-Ford said.
Boulden-Ford worked at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services for 28 years, retired in 2013 and then returned for four more years of work in 2014.
Next, the Sports award was given to Marvin Stewart Sr.
“I’m going to take this trophy and put it somewhere where everyone who walks into my house can see it, because this means a lot to me. It really does. A lot of people just remember the bad and don’t ever want to talk about the good. Being recognized touches the heart and makes me want to keep doing what I’m doing, going harder for what I believe in,” Stewart said.
Stewart works as a machine operator for the city of El Dorado and coaches football teams for local fifth and sixth graders. He devotes time to mentoring players off the field as well.
The Business award was given next to Greg Williams, Jr.
Williams, Jr. recounted memories from growing up in El Dorado.
“I’m local, I’m born and raised here and live here now… I stand here grateful to be able to serve. I think back to being 23 and buying my first rent house. I had a vision of what it could be some day… Hopefully one day one of your children will see someone in business who looks like them and will realize it’s something they can do too,” Williams said.
Williams is co-owner of Empire Properties and has 117 rental properties.
He purchased Prime Liquors with a business partner in March 2020 and his next venture in El Dorado will be Williams Foods at 1019 E. Hillsboro.
The final honoree was Terry Davis, who received the Robert and Margie Bailey Humanitarian Award.
“A few years ago I took early retirement and do something we always loved, which is luxury houseboat rentals in Atlanta. It is 100% owned by us and family-based, and through that we’ve been able to come back to El Dorado, which has always been a passion, to come back and do our concerts and shows, plays and productions,” Davis said.
Davis worked for 23 years as an engineer at IBM and now, among other ventures, serves as the CEO of the Don’t Be a Bully Foundation.
“We have some really great things coming up after COVID,” Davis said.
Before the end of the ceremony, McGhee gave a surprise honor to SmithCreer, presenting a bouquet of flowers and a speech of appreciation.
“We don’t realize the history we’ve experienced here in El Dorado. We just don’t know what we’ve witnessed here in our city for Black history… She’s not only the first Black female mayor of this town, but also my friend,” McGhee said.
Smith-Creer accepted the award with a brief speech.
“It’s my honor to serve as your Mayor and I’m grateful to God for the strength to do the job each day. Because it is a job,” she said.
Meet Me at the Court’s Veronica Bailey closed the ceremony with words of encouragement for each honoree.
“Nominating and selecting the honorees this year was such a special time for me. Each and every one of these honorees holds a very special place in my heart. Eugenia Boulden-Ford is one of my closest friends and has a heart of gold from the inside out… Betty Elerson has a sweet spirit and loves children… Greg Williams, Jr. is special and shared how I’ve known him since the Boys Club days. For this young man to come back to his hometown and turn this city upside down, and not be selfish by to also see what he can do, is a joy… Marvin Stewart is humble [and] willing to help anybody… Last but not least, Terry Davis came to town and brought a free football camp. Some of my youth, that I know would not have able to attend a football camp with a fee, were able to attend. The love shown to these young men, they’ll never forget it,” Bailey said.