Local residents honored at Black History Festival Awards

There were some surprises and many thanks during the awards portion of the annual Dublin-Laurens County Black History Festival Community Committee Awards Banquet, while those in the audience also got to hear from one of the many politicians running in Democratic primary this fall. 

Cheryl Banks-Hightower, the Rev. Winfred L. McCloud, Rictavious McCloud, Ja’Mya Tinsley, Jamaryon Chapman, Yakinni Martin, Barbara Martin, Jarvis Wilcher, Billy Boston and Rev. Cecil A. Moore Jr. were called up after Awards Committee Chairman Kerry L. Smith read a short bio on each award winner. 

Hightower told the audience she had no idea that she was being honored with the 2026 Dedicatory Salute. She said she should have known something was going on with her family at the event.

“God has blessed me from a little dirt road in Bibb County all the way to a paved road here Dublin,” Hightower said. “It took a whole lot of people to get me to this point. I couldn’t have done anything without my parents and grandparents. … I love being a prosecutor, because I love keeping the streets safe for all of us. Thank you Dublin, Laurens County, for including me in your family.” 

Rev. McCloud received the Humanitarian Award.

“I am truly grateful to receive this honor,” he said. “I am in awe. I want to thank those who touched my life, and those I have touched along the way. I also thank God, for without him, we can do nothing. May God continue to keep this committee and all of us working together for the purpose and the calling of Jesus Christ so that we can make a difference in this town where we live.” 

Rictavious McCloud received the Exceptional Achiever of the Year award.

“I want to give all thanks and honor to God,” he said. “He has truly done great things in my life. I know if he has brought me this far, he will certainly have me do amazing things in the future. I want to express my heart feelings for each of you who nominated me for this reward. Thank you for all of the opportunities you have given me to grow personally and as a servant. I have learned to think beyond myself to consider the needs of others. 

“As I move forward, I promise to keep seeking growth and wisdom, leaning on the strong leadership on those who have guided me from the beginning until now.” 

Smith said the Youth of the Year award came down to a tie. He announced Tinsley, a student from Dublin High School, as the first recipient.

“I’m really grateful for everyone who supports and believes in me,” Tinsley said. “As Miss Black Dublin 2024 second-runner up, and in the top 10 percent of my class as a senior, I am thankful for the opportunities to represent and serve in my community. Thank you to my family, mentors and my community for always pushing me. Most of all, I thank God for his grace and protection in keeping me grounded. Without him, none of this would be possible.” 

Smith then called Chapman, student from East Laurens High School, as also receiving the Youth of the Year Award.  

“This recognition means more to me than words can express,” Chapman said. “It represents not just my efforts but the love, support and trust of an entire community. I want to thank God for guiding my steps and giving me strength during challenges and blessing me with opportunities to grow. Without God none of this would be possible.”

He also thanked his family and mentors.

“This award is about continuing to make my community family proud,” Chapman said.

Yakinni Martin was called up to accept Young Achiever award.

“This is a honor that fills me with immense gratitude and pride,” she said. “To be recognized by my own community, by people who have shaped me, supported me and inspired me means more than I can express.” 

Yakinni called the reward a full-circle moment as she recalled being a former Miss Black Dublin queen.

“You have shown me so much support and gratitude,” she said. “I want to thank God and those who nominated me. This reward is a reflection of the strength, resilience and brilliance of our community. I want to speak to our youth. You are our future. But they can only rise if they are invested in, encouraged and given spaces like this to work. Events like this matter. This Black History Festival matters. So counting pouring in. To young people, your dreams and presence are valued.” 

Barbara Martin was brought up to accept the Woman of the Year award.

“I am truly speechless and truly honored,” she said. “I give everything to God. No matter the obstacles, I can achieve and I have achieved. I am just truly thankful for my family and my church family. I give everything in my whole life to be able to serve for the Lord. I can achieve and that is what I strive to do. ” 

Wilcher accepted the award for Man of the Year by singing “To God Be the Glory.” 

“God is truly the author and illustrator of all things,” he said. “I am truly honored to receive this reward. I appreciate the love, guidance and the discipline my parents provided to my brother and I. To my village, which consists of my family, my extended family and church family, I truly thank you all for seeing in me what I sometimes did not see in myself. Though this award has my name on it, it is all of our awards. I am not who I am today without each and every one of you. Let us continue to uplift, serve and make a difference in our community.” 

Boston thanked God for leading him on his journey, after he picked up the Senior Citizen of the Year.

“I am just trying to do something for somebody” Boston said. “I joined the military many years ago and I learned a couple of things. If you do what you are told to do, it will always come back to you. … For me to be able to receive this award, I know it means that somebody was watching me. I just want to say thank you.” 

Moore, who has shared 24 years with Brown Grove Baptist Church in East Dublin and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Washington County, said he was reminded that he was not there to preach.

“I want to thank this distinguished committee,” said Moore, before thanking his family and both church families. “We could not be here without those folks thinking enough of me to select me for this. This is not because of who I am, but because of the grace of God, I am that I am.” 

Smith ended the award portion of the event by asking for a moment of silence to remember Lula Mack, a member of the committee who had recently passed away. 

Earlier in the event, Chapman received a $1,500 from the Mother Ruby Dell Jefferson Scholarship.

“I’m truly grateful for this blessing,” Chapman said. “I thank God for guiding my path.” 

Just before the awards were handed out, speaker Michael Thurmond, a candidate for governor, talked about growing up on a dead-end dirt road. Where he lived, he used an outhouse until he was 16. He said there were cotton fields all around.

Thurmond called Dublin a big city compared to where he grew up, which was near Athens.

“One of the things I want to be is an inspiration for young kids today,” Thurmond said. “Maybe not growing up in rural Georgia, but growing up in tough neighborhood where they may not have all the financial resources that they need.” 

Thurmond wants people to know that he plans to make sure rural Georgia has a seat at the table in Atlanta. He said that through faith in God, and belief in hard work, it is not where one comes from but where they are going that makes the difference.

“And I want to be that north star for this next generation coming behind you,” he said. “Politicians come, politicians go. God is still on the throne. I still believe in this nation. America has been and will always be the greatest nation on this earth. If we get beyond the hyper partisan politics and focus on what’s the best interest of Georgians … I’m about standing in the gap, fighting for what’s right and believing that tomorrow can always be better than today.”