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Celebrating African-American History Month by honoring living legends in the community

Lamar University and the ExxonMobil BEST (Black Employees Success Team) join in celebrating African-American History Month by honoring living legends in the community at a special event, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, in the Lamar University Event Center, 8th Floor of the Mary and John Gray Library. 

That evening, BEST will recognize six living legends in the community: Constable Christopher Bates, youngest constable and constable of the year; Annie Carter, STEM influencer and GT-Tame; Johnny Hulin, executive director Willie Carter Community Outreach Center; Christopher Williams, LIT outreach coordinator/motivational speaker; Amber Lucas, Linda’s Lighthouse; and Norman Bellard, LU interim athletic director and chair of the Greater South Park Neighborhoods Partnership.

Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Angela Bransford of the Beaumont ISD Board of Managers.

A 20-year resident of Beaumont with her husband and three children, Bransford has served with several organizations to promote educational and leadership opportunities for local youth. Her community affiliations include Golden Triangle Links, the Junior League of Beaumont, Jack and Jill of Beaumont, St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

She is a graduate of the University of Arizona in Tucson and Georgetown University Law Center. Previously she served as the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer at The American University in Washington D.C. and Columbus State University in Georgia.

According to John Bello-Ogunu, Sr., vice president for Global Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Affairs, “Lamar University is honored and happy to partner with ExxonMobil BEST in hosting this very important annual African-American History Month Event. This event is yet another opportunity to recognize and to celebrate the rich and immeasurable contributions that African-Americans have made, and continue to make to the greatness of the United States of America.”

For more information about the event, contact Allyson Lattimore, special events co-chair, Beaumont Black Employee Success Team, at (409) 240-3858.