Black History Month Honor Roll
Overview
The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is celebrating Black History Month by offering town residents the chance to recognize local African Americans who have made a difference enhancing and improving the quality of life in their community, family, church, business, organizations or other groups.
From now through Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, the HRC will be accepting nominations for Wake Forest residents to be recognized for their contributions to the community.
Eligibility & Submission Requirements
Wake Forest residents (youth and adults), former residents, and business and community stakeholders that identify as African American are eligible. Nominees should demonstrate leadership and integrity and be respected by their peers.
In addition, potential nominees may be recognized for any of the following actions:
Helping neighbors and fellow Wake Forest citizens in some way.
Demonstrating hospitality and/or concern for others.
Support for local businesses and charities.
Promoting a sense of community in their neighborhood and beyond.
Serving the community through their school, church, business or community organization.
Please Note
The HRC endeavors to recognize as many Wake Forest African Americans as possible. In order to achieve this goal, nominations that were highlighted in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 will not be considered this year. View the 2021-2024 honorees below.
Nomination narratives describing the individual’s contributions should be 400 words or less.
Submissions should include a picture of the nominee - if possible.
What Happens Next?
The HRC will review the nominations and select Wake Forest African Americans to honor during its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22. Honorees will also be recognized on the Town of Wake Forest website.
2024 Honorees
Chell Smith
Linda Monden Thomas
Noah Hopkins
Joseph Hopkins
Mikkel Patterson
Tara Moore-Parker
2023 Honorees
Davion Davis
Pastor Anthony Harris
Margo L. Grant
Frances White Malone
Ronald "Skip" Parker
Denise Thompson-Dunston
Betty Walser
Daniel Richardson
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
2022 Honorees
Wayne Parker
Ailey Mae Young
Lon Smith
Timothy Williams
Chandler Rice
James A. Grant
Ruben Wall
Sheila Brown
2021 Honorees
Feb. 1 - Norma Bennekin
Feb. 1 - Dr. Michele Benoit-Wilson
Feb. 2 - Velma Boyd Lawson
Feb. 2 - Laurie Butler
Feb. 3 - Elizabeth C. Bradshaw
Feb. 3 - Andrew (Drew) Brown, Jr.
Feb. 4 - Theatric (Tee) Caudle, Jr.
Feb. 4 - Tilda Caudle
Feb. 5 - Gordon Coleman, Jr.
Feb. 5 - Candace Davis
Feb. 6 - Yvonne Drew
Feb. 6 - Wilma Dunston
Feb. 7 - Mitzi Franklin
Feb. 7 - Edwin (Ed) C. Gary
Feb. 8 - Salina Gary
Feb. 8 - Pidie Forte Lucas Green
Feb. 9 - Freda Hall
Feb. 9 - Mel Hempstead
Feb. 10 - Shynese Hockaday
Feb. 10 - Rev. Dr. Enoch Holloway and Dr. Marion Holloway
Feb. 11 - Derek Jennings
Feb. 11 - Evelyn Jones
Feb. 12 - Monica Lileton
Feb. 12 - Deidre Martin
Feb. 13 - Mitchell Andrew Lawson
Feb. 13 - Ginny Jones
Feb. 14 - Michael Loftin
Feb. 14 - Reggie Lucas
Feb. 15 - Charles Martin
Feb. 15 - Dianne Laws
Feb. 16 - Alphonza (Al) Merritt
Feb. 16 - JuJuan Mitchell
Feb. 17 - Bonnie Mwanda
Feb. 17 - Jess Norwood
Feb. 18 - Bettina Pope
Feb. 18 - Jamila Richardson
Feb. 19 - Isaac Rucker
Feb. 19 - Roger Shackleford
Feb. 20 - Kimberly Soden
Feb. 20 - Oliver and Betty Stevenson
Feb. 21 - Barbara Geraldine Hall-Taylor
Feb. 21 - Eugene Taylor
Feb. 22 - Linda Thomas
Feb. 22 - Troy N. Thomas Sr.
Feb. 23 - Shelley Torres
Feb. 23 - Willie Lee and Mamie Tee Walker
Feb. 24 - Bridget Wall-Lennon
Feb. 24 - Elrie Walton
Feb. 25 - Willie Fleming
Feb. 25 - John Hall, Jr.
Feb. 26 - Tom Jeffries
Feb. 26 - Luther and Hazel Yarborough Watkins
Feb. 27 - Theresa Watkins
Feb. 27 - Allen Young
Feb. 28 - Hilda Parlér
Feb. 28 - Robin L. Smith