Bowling Green to Celebrate Local Black Achievers

Bowling Green to Celebrate Local Black Achievers

Bowling Green, Kentucky is set to honor four remarkable local residents this Saturday during the sixth annual Bowling Green Black Achievers Banquet. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at State Street Baptist Church and serves as both a celebration of community leadership and a fundraiser for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day planning committee.

Nadia Jones: A Young Leader Shining Bright

Among those to be recognized is Nadia Jones, a senior at Greenwood High School and the first high school student to receive this acknowledgment. Jones has distinguished herself not only as the student body president but also as a member of the National Honor Society. Her leadership extends beyond school to various community activities, prompting Felecia Bland, chair of the MLK Day planning committee, to state, “She is someone who stands out.”

At Greenwood High, Jones leads the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America club and is also involved in the Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Superintendent Advisory Council.

Honoring Community Leaders

Joining Nadia in recognition are three outstanding community leaders:

• Gambia Flemister: Hailing from Louisville, Flemister has dedicated 19 years to education, teaching in various capacities in the Bowling Green area. She is currently a program coordinator for the Black Male Scholars program at Bowling Green Junior High and also coaches track and field.
• Dr. Daniel Boamah: A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of KY STEPS Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Boamah also serves as an assistant professor at Western Kentucky University. His research focuses on tackling structural and racial inequalities in society.
• GeMonee Brown: A successful real estate professional and former football player for WKU, Brown is known for managing over 50 rental units in southern Kentucky, with an emphasis on providing affordable housing. He also owns Bundles of Joy Childcare.

The Importance of Recognition

According to Ryan Dearbone, president of Bowling Green’s NAACP chapter and part of the MLK Day planning committee, the banquet is a crucial opportunity to highlight the achievements of local Black residents. Dearbone mentioned, “This is our chance to focus in locally on what our achievers are doing.”

This year’s banquet is particularly significant, as it will pay tribute to two influential community figures: Abraham Williams, the former Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Bowling Green, and Wathetta Buford, former chair of the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission. Bland shared that Williams had a major role in organizing this event even from his hospital bed, emphasizing the impact he had on the community.

Event Details and Ticket Information

At Saturday’s gathering, tributes will be paid to both Williams and Buford, complementing the honor being given to the four achievers. Tickets for the banquet are priced at $30 and can be purchased at the Human Rights Commission on Double Springs Road. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.

The Bowling Green Black Achievers Banquet not only celebrates local leaders but also aims to continue the mission that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. championed throughout his life. With a warm community spirit, Bowling Green will come together to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions made by its residents.