by BeeDee Clay
October 18, 2025, marked a triumphant and inspiring evening in the city of Macon as the James Wimberly Institute hosted its annual Barrier Breakers Ceremony, this year honoring eleven distinguished individuals for their groundbreaking achievements. The event, themed “Saluting Barrier Breakers, Visionaries, and Vanguards,” celebrated those who shattered racial barriers and paved the way for progress across Georgia and beyond.
Dr. Henry C. Ficklin, president of the Wimberly Institute, welcomed guests with contagious enthusiasm, declaring with a smile, “It’s Black History in October — we’re doing it like the British do it!” This year’s celebration marked a bold new direction as the Institute extended its study and commemoration of African American history beyond the traditional months of February and June, further enriching the cultural and historical fabric of Middle Georgia.
The Anderson Conference Center was filled to capacity with community leaders, educators, clergy, and proud family members. The evening was skillfully guided by Rev. Kenneth Moye, pastor of Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Janice Habersham, musician and community activist, whose energy and grace as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies elevated the night’s festivities.
The banquet was a spectacular success — from the elegant décor to the fine dining experience — embodying a sense of excellence that mirrored the evening’s honorees.
The featured speaker, Former Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, now a candidate for Governor of Georgia, delivered a stirring keynote address. His message paid tribute to the honorees as exemplars of courage, perseverance, and hope, reminding everyone that the struggle for equality continues through the acts of ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things.
Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Vanguard Award to Senator David Lucas in recognition of his remarkable fifty years of service in the Georgia General Assembly. The award, presented with eloquence and emotion by last year’s recipient, Washington Library’s Genealogist Murial Jackson, reflected the deep respect and admiration the community holds for Senator Lucas’ decades of advocacy and leadership.
The Visionary Award was presented by long-time community leader Herbert Dennard to Myrna Davis Bell, whose hidden legacy as a Civil Rights pioneer was revealed to the audience with heartfelt reverence. A quiet schoolteacher by profession, Bell’s early involvement in the fight for equality in North Carolina moved all in attendance. In her brief but powerful remarks, she reminded listeners that history often lives within the hearts of those who have lived it.
The Institute also recognized the following honorees as Racial Barrier Breakers for their pioneering achievements:
• Dr. Thelma Bivins Dillard – First Black member of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission
• Attorney Zack Dozier – First to form a bi-racial law firm with the late Attorney Lonzy Edwards
• Judge Quintress Gilbert – First Black Juvenile Court Judge in Bibb County
• Alex Habersham – First Black member of the Bibb Board of Tax Assessors
• George Fadil Muhammad – Organizer of the first Juneteenth celebrations in Middle Georgia
• Ecleamus Ricks – First Black administrator of the Macon-Bibb County Health Department
• Diane Hayes Scott – First Black student at Lassiter Girls High School
• Dr. Walter Searcy – First Black graduate of Mark Smith Boys High School
• Judge Cheferre “Che” Young – First Black Chief Judge of the Bibb County Juvenile Court
• Dr. Harold Young – First Black director of the New Tubman African American Museum
• Dr. Troy Young – First Black real estate agent, broker, realtor, and instructor in Bibb County
Each honoree’s story served as a testament to faith, determination, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and opportunity.
The 2025 Barrier Breakers celebration was more than an awards banquet — it was a reflection of history’s living pulse in the Macon community. The Wimberly Institute once again proved itself a vital force in preserving and promoting African American heritage, reminding all in attendance that the spirit of progress must be continuously nurtured and honored.
As the evening concluded, the applause lingered long after the final award was presented — a standing ovation not just for the honorees, but for the enduring legacy of those who break barriers so that others may walk freely.
