Community Servant's Hummingbird Award presented to G.W. Mingo on Tuesday at Cotton Club
G.W. Mingo's commitment to serving the Gainesville/Alachua County community with the help of his wife, Cynthia Mingo, is well-known in the Black community and beyond.
It was because of that well-known recognition that G.W. Mingo, Ph.D., with his wife by his side, was awarded the 2023 Community Hospice and Palliative Care Community (CHPC) Servant's Hummingbird Award on Tuesday at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center at 837 SE Seventh Ave. for dedicating his life selflessly to help others.
Formerly known as the Community Legacy Award, it is given to honor those with a legacy and loyalty of selfless contributions to making the lives of those around them better, said Tracy Mills, community outreach program manager for CHPC.
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“The hummingbird symbolizes legacy and loyalty,” Mills said. “We are honoring all the noisemakers who show kindness and are the givers of their time and talents.”
“He (G.W. Mingo) truly has a heart for the people,” said Kenyarda Feathers, CHPC spokesman.
Mingo was also praised by Bishop Christopher Stokes of New Beginning Christian Worship Center in Micanopy.
“We’re here to thank a man who serves his fellow man,” Stokes said. “We want to thank Dr. Mingo and the calvary of people who come to celebrate. Continue guiding us with your presence.”
Mingo, a Key West native with Bahamian roots, became a father figure to thousands as director of the Upward Bounds, Student Support Services and College Outreach programs for nearly 30 years at the University of Florida before retiring in 2003. His leadership helped thousands of students from low-income backgrounds become successful first-generation college graduates.
The Mingos attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee from 1960-63, and will celebrate 60 years of marriage this summer.
As a retiree, Mingo serves as a professional consultant to TRIO and other youth programs. According to Santa Fe College, TRIO is a variety of federally funded programs designed to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education through support and guidance for college preparation and collegiate success.
He is also a trustee at Mount Olive A.M.E. Church in southeast Gainesville, tutors children in Spanish, serves on the board of the CCMCC and is a USA Track and Field certified track official, which has allowed him for nearly 50 years to stay connected to the sport he competed in at FAMU.
The keynote speaker, Eric Godet, president and CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, said the Mingos are a powerful couple.
“She (Cynthia Mingo) is a reflection of him,” Godet said. “When you look at Mr. Mingo, you are looking at Mrs. Mingo."
G.W. Mingo symbolizes faith, family and formation, Godet said.
“Your work in life formed a path we can all follow,” Godet said. “I want to have the same impact you made in this community. You formed a path to make sure you took care of everyone around you.”
G.W. Mingo thanked CHPC for awarding him the plaque and he thanked his wife for standing by his side while serving the community.
“She is definitely the wind beneath my wings,” he said.
He also thanked the community for embracing him and his wife.
“We wanted to help as many people as we can without any recognition,” he said.
Cynthia Mingo, a retired educator, said their passion to serve as a couple stems from a calling from God and the will to serve with the community in mind.
“We always ask for advice from God and he tells us which way to go,” she said. “I grew up in the church and the community was there. To build a strong community, it takes you caring and loving one another.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: G.W. Mingo honored for helping others in Gainesville for many years
