by Beedee Clay

Thirty-five years ago, when Alex Habersham launched the Middle Georgia Black Pages, there were plenty of people who questioned whether such an ambitious undertaking could survive.

There was doubt about whether an African American business directory could attract enough businesses, generate sufficient support, or remain viable in a changing marketplace. But Habersham saw something others could not yet see—a need, an opportunity, and a responsibility to create a dependable resource that would connect the Middle Georgia community with African American-owned businesses.

Thirty-five years later, the answer to those early doubts is unmistakable.

The Middle Georgia Black Pages has not only survived—it has become a stable, trusted, and valuable resource for the Middle Georgia community, helping residents identify, support, and connect with African American-owned businesses and professionals throughout the region.

That remarkable milestone was celebrated in grand fashion at the Tubman Museum, where community leaders, business owners, civic advocates, friends, supporters, and many of Macon’s finest citizens gathered for a festive celebration honoring Habersham and the legacy he created.

The occasion was both a celebration of the past and a declaration of confidence in the future.

When Habersham began the Middle Georgia Black Pages, the concept was straightforward but powerful: provide the community with a centralized source of information about African American-owned businesses.

At the time, however, the idea was met with skepticism. Could it last? Would businesses participate? Would the community embrace it? Habersham stayed the course.

Year after year, edition after edition, the publication continued to grow. What began as an endeavor whose future was uncertain gradually developed into a respected institution within the Middle Georgia business community.

For three and a half decades, the Black Pages has served as more than a directory. It has documented the presence, growth, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit of African Americans throughout Middle Georgia.

It has helped shine a light on businesses that might otherwise have gone unnoticed and provided consumers with an opportunity to intentionally support locally owned African American enterprises.

Most importantly, it has demonstrated what can happen when one person’s vision is sustained by perseverance.

The 35th Anniversary celebration at the Tubman Museum reflected the significance of Habersham’s achievement.

The festive atmosphere brought together people from across the community who recognized that the success of the Middle Georgia Black Pages represents more than the success of a publication. It represents 35 years of community building, economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and service.

Adding special significance to the occasion was the appearance of Norm Nixon, the legendary NBA player and proud Macon native. Nixon’s presence underscored the evening’s celebration of hometown achievement and the importance of recognizing individuals who have made meaningful contributions both locally and beyond Middle Georgia.

The celebration also provided an opportunity for local government to formally recognize Habersham’s extraordinary contribution.

In one of the evening’s most memorable moments, the Mayor of Macon-Bibb County presented Alex Habersham with a Key to the City, honoring his 35 years of service to the community through the Middle Georgia Black Pages.

The honor symbolized the community’s appreciation for a man who had remained committed to his vision even when others doubted its potential.

Bibb County Manager Dr. Keith Moffett presented a proclamation honoring the 35th Anniversary of the Middle Georgia Black Pages, recognizing the publication’s longstanding contribution to the community. Executive Director Dr. Henry C. Ficklin also presented a proclamation, adding another official acknowledgment of Habersham’s dedication and the importance of the publication’s work.

Together, the Key to the City and the proclamations represented a powerful message: what began as an idea that some questioned has become a respected and enduring part of Middle Georgia’s community and business landscape.

While the anniversary celebration looked back with pride, it also marked a significant turning point. After 35 years of printed editions, the celebration brought the era of the printed Middle Georgia Black Pages to a close and launched the publication into its next chapter—the digital age. The transition represents both change and continuity.

The mission remains the same: to provide valuable information about African American-owned businesses and help strengthen the economic connections within the Middle Georgia community.

But the digital platform will provide new opportunities to reach an even broader audience, make information more accessible, and keep pace with the way consumers increasingly search for businesses and services.

The printed pages may be coming to an end, but the purpose behind those pages remains as relevant as ever. Perhaps the most powerful lesson of the Middle Georgia Black Pages story is the lesson of perseverance.

Habersham started with a vision at a time when others were uncertain about its chances of success. Instead of allowing doubt to define the future, he continued working, publishing, building relationships, and serving the community.

Thirty-five years later, the publication stands as a testament to what persistence can accomplish. The Middle Georgia Black Pages has grown from a questioned endeavor into a dependable powerhouse of information, connecting consumers with African American-owned businesses and helping tell the story of Black entrepreneurship throughout Middle Georgia.

Its history is intertwined with the history of the community it has served. And as the publication moves from paper to pixels, its next chapter promises to be just as important as its first 35 years.

The anniversary celebration at the Tubman Museum was therefore more than a birthday party. It was a tribute to a legacy, a recognition of perseverance, and a launching pad for the future.

For 35 years, Alex Habersham believed that the Middle Georgia community needed the Black Pages. The community’s celebration made clear that his vision was not only needed, but it was also right. Thirty-five years later, the pages may be going digital, but the legacy continues.