Black community proud of Bay County's groundbreakers | Guestview

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

As Black History Month comes to a close, I am elated to celebrate just a few of the current Black leaders here in Bay County. This county has seen its share of African American groundbreakers in the past and today is no different. Presently, we have three Black city officials holding offices of distinction. I have the honor and privilege to highlight them today.

Ashley Myatt
Ashley Myatt

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Kenneth Brown currently occupies the seat for city commissioner Ward 2. Brown is a proud graduate of the historical Rosenwald High School Class of 1965. He then attended Rosenwald Junior College that later became Gulf Coast Community College. He graduated from Gulf Coast in 1967. Following his graduation, Brown joined the United States Navy where he served in Interior Communications as well as handled submarine watercrafts. After his service in the Navy, Brown moved back to Panama City and began working at WestRock Paper Mill where he completed his electrician apprenticeship. As a licensed electrician, Brown started his own business, Brown’s Electrical Service, offering his expertise to his community. While being an entrepreneur, Brown joined the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the chamber, he was invited to join the Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency Board or CRA. Commissioner Brown stated during his time with the Chamber of Commerce he was asked to run for city commissioner when Commissioner Jonathan Wilson decided he would not run again. Brown said, “If you don’t go forth and try, you will not know if you will be successful or not.” After his run, he was elected as city commissioner Ward II. Brown has stayed active in his community and has served with the Downtown North Design and Planning Committee, Downtown Improvement Board, Glenwood Working Partnership, the Better Business Bureau and the Home Builders Association. Commissioner Brown is married to Rose Marie Brown and has four sons of whom he is very proud.

Vickie Gainer is one of Panama City’s phenomenal trailblazers. As a Panama City native, Gainer has a rich history of service and public works. In 1981, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Montevallo. She also earned her Master of Science Degree in 2004 from Florida State University. Since earning her degrees, Gainer has been a trailblazer in her community. She has worked as communications director at Florida State University Panama City, an assistant marketing director for Peoples First, and she worked as the regional business development and marketing director for Gatehouse Media. In 2017, Gainer was hired by the city of Lynn Haven. She served as deputy city clerk, human resources director, grants and contracts manager as well as director of administrative support services in 2018. She also served as public policy moderator through the Gulf Coast State College Citizen Leadership Program. Gainer was appointed as Lynn Haven's city manager on Nov. 15, 2019. With this appointment, she made history. She was the first woman and African American to hold this position. With the appointment as Lynn Haven city manager and her countless hours of service and dedication, Gainer is an inspiration to not only her community but to the Black youth in the area. Through her example of poise and grace, she makes her community proud. Gainer is married to retired educator Harry Gainer Jr., and has two children.

Dr. Jesse Nelson, Lynn Haven’s mayor, is a prominent and dedicated member in our community. As a proud Alabama native, Nelson has made Panama City his home and has continued to make it a better place to live for all of its citizens. Nelson graduated from Selma University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He furthered his education at Alabama State University and Regent’s Park College of Oxford University. Since 2016, Nelson has been the senior pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Panama City, where he put the “mission” in missionary. He prides himself in making certain the body of Macedonia is one that shows love and compassion throughout the city, country and world. Under his leadership, Macedonia served as a disaster relief location for those in need after Hurricane Michael. Amid COVID-19, Nelson supported testing and vaccine initiatives at his church. Nelson’s compassionate hand reaches across international waters as he is a missionary to Haiti as well. He has a heart for children as shown with his community partnerships with the Bay Youth Summer Work Program, his board membership of Anchorage Children’s Home, local Girl Scouts and his mentorship at Mosley High School. With his love for people and service, Nelson ran for mayor and was elected in 2021. Nelson has made his community proud. With the love and support from his wife, Catesha Nelson, and their two children, Nelson continues to be a wonderful Black leader in our community.

Ashley Myatt is a graduation coach at Rutherford High School and the secretary for Minority PC, a nonprofit organization. She is a resident of Panama City.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Kenneth Brown, Vickie Gainer, Dr. Nelson: Bay County's Black groundbreakers