Photograph: St. Landry Parish Black History Program award winners Grace Hamilton-Mayfield, Donald Cravins, Sr. and Leona Boxie are presented plaques by host Jerry Red, Jr. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Three individuals that influenced community and political issues over the past several decades were recognized Sunday night during the 11th annual St. Landry Parish Black History Awards Program.
The program held at the Delta Grand in Opelousas that honored Leona Boxie, Grace Hamilton Mayfield and Donald Cravins, Sr. also featured several performances and musical entertainment provided by students who attend the Grace Hamilton Performance Academy.
Reenactments by the performers included Hamilton Academy-choreographed interpretative dances and the recreation of a 19th century lynching scene depicting a mother finding her deceased son after he was cut down by those who hanged him.
Opelousas residents Sheryl Ned was cast as the mother in the lynching scene. Donald Reed sang “O’ Freedom,” acapella.
A Trailblazer Award was presented to Boxie who has spent nearly all her life as a resident in the Sunset-Bristol areas where she has served on several appointed boards.
Program host Jerry Red, Jr., reminded the audience that Boxie has often been recognized for her leadership and multiple forms of service.
Red added that Boxie also worked for 35 years as manager of the Sunset Lumber Depot.
Boxie said that he has always felt a calling to assist with community issues.
“I am following in the footsteps of the many people who have paved the way before me, working to make things better in the community and the parish,” said Boxie.
Hamilton-Mayfield said she recently returned to live in Opelousas.
Since 1981 Hamilton-Mayfield told the audience that her performance and dance academies have endeavored to provide artistic training for youths and young adults.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized in the town where you grew up in. I moved away and I thought I would never come back, but I did,” Hamilton said.
Cravins was elected several times as a Louisiana state senator from District 24 and mayor of Opelousas.
Red pointed out that during his elected terms, Cravins was instrumental in securing the construction of the Evangeline Downs Casino and Racetrack, the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and the Opelousas Civic Center.
The annual Mayor’s Charity Ball annually provided revenue for paying utility bills for elderly residents who required financial assistance, Red said.
Cravins said one of his regrets as a state officer holder was the inability to secure proper financing for a State Juvenile Justice System initiative and providing more funding for home health care rather than placing individuals in nursing homes.
