Cal State Bakersfield Provost Vernon B. Harper Jr. was appointed Monday to take over as interim president once Lynnette Zelezny steps down Dec. 31 after six years at the university’s
Waxahachie Daily Light
On Saturday, Ellis County residents Elmerine Bell and Billie Wallace were selected and recognized with the 2021 Martin Luther King Unity Award.
This honor has been awarded since 2019, highlighting community members and their dedication to the community.
Dr. Jamal Rasheed, president and CEO of the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame, presented the awards to the nominees in the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame building.
“The Martin Luther King Unity Award is given every year to those persons who serve the community in the same spirit as Dr. King, in search of freedom, justice and equality in one form or fashion, as an individual or collectively with another group. These people do it as unsung heroes. They don’t do it for credit, they don’t do it for power, they don’t do it for a pat on the back, they don t do it for money, but they do it in the same spirit as Dr. King did it,” stated Rasheed, before placing a medal on both aw
Travis Brittain attends the Martin Luther King Unity Awards ceremony every year, but the thought that he might one day receive the same award never crossed his mind.
Gaston Clergy and Citizens Coalition recently named Brittain – Gastonia’s 24th chief of police – as one of the 2021 recipients of the Martin Luther King Unity Award.
Presented by GC3 annually since 2004, the award recognizes current or former Gaston County citizens who have continuously helped unite people across lines of class, race, gender and faith through community service.
From a young age, the Ashbrook High graduate knew he would work in public safety. Brittain first connected with Gastonia Police Department in 1989, then a teenager, through the city’s Explorer program, which he joined before he could drive a car.