Oakland Post: Week of December 27 – January 2, 2024
By Godfrey Lee
Felecia Gaston and the Phoenix Project held the Black Men Working Award Ceremony to honor men in Marin City who have inspired young Black men to pursue greatness.
The event was held at the 200 lot in Marin City on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Along with the free haircuts, a BBQ dinner was given to the several hundred people who gathered to enjoy and celebrate the award ceremony.
Marion Washington, chief of the Marin County Probation Department, was Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Marcus Small of Peoples Inter-Cities Fellowship opened the ceremony with prayer. Bishop Johnathan Logan Sr., Cornerstone COGIC, welcomed everyone to the event.
Stephanie Moulton Peters, Marin County Board of Supervisors, gave a brief history of the Phoenix Project. Harold Wallace, MCHWC, also spoke briefly on Black Men and Health.
Also recognized were Larry Adams, Darnell Roary, Homer Hall, Cheryl Fisher, and Jose Varela as co-founders of the Phoenix Project 2009. In addition, David Sutton, chief of the Marin County Public Defender’s Office and Phoenix Case Managers, Wayne Price, Kevin Smith, and Homer Hall were recognized.
The retirees, and the years they served, are: Donnie Roary (30 yrs.), Carl Dedrick (31 yrs.), Lawrence Dora (10 yrs.), Michael Page (22 yrs.), Ralph Wilson Sr. (35 yrs.), Honor Jackson (35 yrs.), Jesse Washington (27 yrs.), Paul Austin Sr. (28 yrs.), Warren Alexander (28 yrs.), David Johnson (39 yrs.), Tim Grayson (25+ yrs.), Mark Paige (16+ yrs.), Harvey Red Tucker (30 yrs.), Bernard Hastings (15 yrs.), Ray Foster (27 yrs.), Ralph Wilson (30+ yrs.), Mark Lewis (25 yrs.), Angeille Johnson (20 yrs.), Nathaniel Coleman Jr. (10 yrs.), Edward Marcus (40+ yrs.), and Phillip Scott (35 yrs.).
The “Marin City Legends” and the years they served: are Jesse Polk (30+ yrs.), Ramon Polk (30+ yrs.), Larry Striplin (45 yrs.), Robert Hill (12 yrs.), Donald Morgan (29 yrs.), Clarence Striplin (35 yrs.), and Donald Miggins (37 yrs.).
The “Clean and Sober” Awards went to Owen Snell (32 yrs.), Jessie Broomfield (16 yrs.), Julian Maunder (2 yrs.), James Tyrone Roary (10 yrs.), Michael Harris, Jr. (3 yrs.), Shannon Bynum Sr. (23 yrs.), Markelle Taylor (22 yrs.), Orlando Wiggins (15 yrs.), and Ramon Polk (15 years).
Emmanuel McLemore was awarded the Fresh Start/Expungement award.
The “Successfully Completed Parole” Award went to Shamron Mitchell, Levester Williams, Jr., Tiare Berkeley, Emmanuel McLemore, Kenny Carter, Chas Langley, and Ricky Hill.
The “Golden Gate Village – Groundsman Not Wasting Time and Hard Work” Award went to Emmanuel McLemore, Kenny Carter, Claude Burton Jr., and Stevie Dean Jr.
Donnie Roary was recognized and awarded again for serving as the Community Chef for Marin City.
Those who went Above and Beyond in their service are Jesse Polk for more than 50 years of community service, Clarence Page for steadily working for over 65 years, and Charles Earl Dent for serving the community for over 30 years.
The “Above and Beyond Academic Excellence” award went to Professor Walter Turner.
Allen Talley, the first and only Black man to win the Marin Master Bowling Tournament in 2004, was recognized.
Editor’s Note: If I have missed any men who were awarded, or who has inspired a young man or woman to pursue greatness, and may like to share their story in the paper, please contact Godfrey Lee at godfreylee2@yahoo.com , and I will be happy to write your story for the paper.
