Celebrating Black History Month 2021 Honoring Local Icons

Top right: 

Eddie Ponds

Publisher of  the Drum Newspapers

Top Left

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison

Professor, Music Supervisor, Assistant Principal, and Community Activist

Second Row Left End

Ann  A. Smith

Represents the 5th Congressional District, Retired School Educator, Former member of  

Tangipahoa Parish School Board District A

Second Row Right End

Harold Smith

First African American elected as mayor of Kentwood, La

Former Educator

Third Row, Left End

Bobby Cyprian

Civil Rights Leader

Third Row, Right End

Collis Temple, Sr.

Principal and Educator

O.W. Dillon School

Third Person

Lemar  F. Marshall

Former City Councilmember,  District 4, Hammond, LA 

Advocate for STEM Education in Tangipahoa Parish

Fourth Person

Major Coleman

Former Member-At-Large

Police Jury Association

Board of Director for the Southeast Community Health System

Robert Parker

Singer known for his 1966 song "Barefootin" He was introduced into the

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame 2007

Mrs. Shirley Cross

Educator, Graduate of Tuskegee Institute

Left Second to the End

Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier

Community Activist 

Right End

Irma Thompson Gordon

Former Educator and the First African-American Woman elected as mayor of Kentwood

Gloria Gordon Brumfield

One of the first African American student to Desegregate the Schools in St. Helena Parish

Alvin Holden

Voter Right Leader in Hammond, Louisiana, Founding members of the Tangipahoa Parish Voter League, and organization that fought to obtain the right to vote and equal treatment for African Americans. He was the first African American to register to vote in parish.

Dr. Willard Vernon and Mrs. Alma Harrison Vernon

Educators and Community Advocates

Community Organizers, Educators. Dr. Willard built the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Mrs. Alma Harrison Vernon, received and Appreciation in recognition of her important contribution to ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America. 

Wilbert Dangerfield

The first African American elected as Councilman for District 1 in Hammond, LA.

Bobby Carter

First African American Deputy of the City of Hammond

Fred and Vernia McCoy

Botton Right

Former Educators in Tangipahoa Parish and Civil Rights Leaders