Mainstreet Daily News
The Rosa Parks Quiet Courage Committee will host an in-person community-wide tribute to Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks on Dec. 4.
The event will start at 3 p.m. at the Passage Family Church located at 2020 NE 15th St. in Gainesville.
The theme for this year is ”Make Justice JUST Again,” emphasizing significant instances of justice that were ignored or not considered worthy of merit until, in some cases, justice was served after protest.
Rev. Milford L. Griner, president and founder of the Rosa Parks Quiet Courage Committee, will speak on the theme in his annual state of justice remarks at the end of the tribute.
“We need to remind everybody that justice is not just until there is completion,” Griner said. “Unfortunately, some people still try to promote racial violence and hate speech. We have to stand up and do our best to end racism, similar to Rosa Parks when she stayed on that bus seat on December 1st, 1955.”
The Committee announced the selection of the 2022 recipients of the “Quiet Courage” Award and the special “Leadership & Vision” Award.
The 2022 recipients are as follows:
Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker will receive the Leadership & Vision award for her service, work, and courage in taking the lead in important issues.
Community activist Sheila Payne was nominated for her leadership as a member of the Alachua County Labor Coalition, the Police Advisory Council and the NAACP and standing up for the rights of apartment renters.
Devondrick Slater, nominated by former Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones, for his work at the Reichert House and his efforts to help improve the lives of young men in the community, steer them into leading positive and productive lives and inspire others.
The committee will honor a fourth local “mystery recipient” but will not reveal that person’s name since the honor bestowed to this person will be a surprise during the actual tribute program.