Pensacola's unsung heroes get their due at Trailblazer Awards (but sadly, not a free car)
Doug Brown didn't speak long, even though he was the recipient of the namesake award of Epps Christian Center's 8th annual Trailblazer Awards on Wednesday.
He's the executive director of the Community Action Program Committee, an organization that Brown has led for 13 years and through its varied services worked to eliminate poverty in Escambia County.
Brown is a busy guy.
So he was concerned when he was invited to attend the award ceremony at the Bayview Community Center, which was attended by about 100 people.
"I've got a lot of stuff to do," he said, recalling his thoughts when he was invited. "How much time will this take? Because I have stuff to do."
Still, he was "humbled by the award."
"I'm glad I'm here,'' I said. "It's good to be reminded to take a moment and be acknowledged ‒ but remember, I'm a product of the team. Whatever the lowest job is, that's where you put me because I'm going to make it the best one so everyone wants that job too."
Then, a word of advice.
"Pay attention to the little people, because that's all we really are."
But little people do big things every day, most often never acknowledged, never noticed.
Sylvia Tisdale, whose well-known church ministry feeds the poor and hungry daily, provides clothing to the needy, and so much more, said she started this awards to recognize the people whose names we might not all know, but whose contributions make Northwest Florida a better place for all.
"These are ordinary people who do extraordinary things in different areas of our community," said Tisdale, who for years has been up around 4:30 a.m. to help prepare hot, wholesome meals for those in need. "They are unsung heroes that a lot of people don't know about. Hopefully, this encourages others to take up and work for our community."
Here are the 2024 Trailblazer Award recipients:
Community Service Award – Lakesha Davis, entrepreneur and volunteer to many organizations.
Helping Hand Award - Dr. Joyce Hopson, longtime, now retired, Pensacola State College business and computer science professor who has worked with many schools as a tutor, mentor and educational advocate.
Helping Hand Award – Walter Wallace, Vietnam War veteran, activist and board president of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of EscaRosa.
(Why two Helping Hand Awards? Left hand and right hand.)
Community Voice Award - Ronald Rivera, neighborhood specialist for the Community Relations unit of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
Servant Leader Award - Camille Bonner, referred to as a "non-stop volunteer," won the CivicCon Founding Member Award in 2021.
Faith and Service Award - Dr. Toni Anderson-Steele, longtime Pensacola State College counselor, community activist, known as "a champion of students."
Educational Leadership Award - Obi Kalu, student service specialist with the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at PSC.
Trailblazer Award - Doug Brown
The 2024 Trailblazer Awards were presented by Step One Automotive, and a running joke through the evening, started by emcee Robin Reshard of the Kukua Institute ‒ also an event sponsor ‒ was that award winners would get a new car. A few winners asked where those keys were.
Related: 'Earth angel' has been cooking for the homeless and hungry for years. She needs your help.
Many in the crowd thanked Tisdale for her work at Epp Christian Center, including Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
"Very few people have been there more consistently for those in need in Escambia County," Simmons said of Tisdale. "When we're out there at 4:30 in the morning, she's out there too looking for people to help. She truly makes a difference."
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Trailblazer Awards by Epps Christian Center honor Pensacola heroes
