Black History Month Attracts Outstanding Black Leaders

Black History Month Attracts Outstanding Black Leaders

All photos by Edward Lamboy

Columbus, GA – Pictured at the 2023 Black History Month Observance Breakfast are U. S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr.: U. S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (2023 distinguished keynote speaker and first Democratic chairman of the Homeland Security Committee) and Ms. Roslyn Giles (news anchor WTVM and co-host of Ceremonies).

Columbus, GA – Marshal Gregory Countryman was part of the Elected Officials introduced at the 2023 Black History Month Observance Breakfast.


By Times Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: For over 38 years, there has been a Black History Month Observance Breakfast in the city of Columbus, GA.

The 2024 event will be Monday, February 19, 2024 at 7:00 am at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA. The distinguished guest speaker will be United States Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader, United States House of Representatives.

Columbus, GA – There is always excitement in the air when the month of February comes around. Some years, there are 28 days and other years there are 29 days. The acknowledgement of what the children, men and women have done to change the course of history for Blacks, African Americans, Colored Americans or Negroes will always be the focus of a multitude of events.

One event that has taken place for decades is the Black History Month Observance Breakfast. Your Voice Matters stood out in 2023, in the city.

The Order of the Program began with the Posting of Colors, then the Pledge of Allegiance, after which the United States National Anthem and the Negro National Anthem were sung. Then followed the Invocation, Greetings, Introduction of Elected Officials, Boot Camp Recognition, Musical Selection, A Moment in Local Black History, Award Presentations, Introduction of the Speaker (by U. S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.). Then came the dynamic, dedicated, well respected and Keynote Speaker, the honorable U. S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson. Congressman Thompson’s remarks were well received, and he has always been a voice and friend of the Black Press of America. Closing Remarks were by Mrs. Ann Caggins (Program Committee Chair) and dear friend of the late Dr. Ophelia DeVore Mitchell (past publisher of The Columbus Times Newspaper and a trailblazer).  The Benediction closed the 38th Black History Month Observance Breakfast, after which photographs and autographs were achieved.

Sponsors have included BlackRock Aflac Georgia Power, Liberty Utilities, Synovus, Fountain City Classic, Kinetic Credit Union, Peaceful River Residential Services, U. S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Columbus Water Works, WCBradley Company, Sports Council-Columbus Georgia, PWMC-Peak Wooten McDaniel & Colwell LLP, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Emanuel Wilkes and others.

Over the years, there have been several different categories of awards: the Legacy of Leadership Award, Unsung Hero, Emerging Leader, and Points of Light. These awards are presented at the breakfast.

The 2023 Program Committee Chair was Mrs. Ann Caggins, and the Committee Co-Chair was Mr. Oz Roberts. Committee members, table sponsors, community leaders, friends, guests and supporters were all graciously thanked.