The Central Louisiana African American Culture & Heritage Center (AACHC) honored six local Cenla individuals for their contributions to society and for being an inspiration to many during the Center’s Feb. 22 celebration at the Martin Luther King Jr. branch of the RPL.
Honorees for 2025 included:
- Brigadier General Sheridan Cadoria (Army Brigadier General, Military Pioneer and Icon)
- Lee A. Dotson, Jr. (Educator, Community Leader)
- Dr. Charles R. Joiner, MD (Doctor, Veteran, Pastor)
- Dr. Hayward B. Joiner, Jr., Ph.D (Educator, Community Advocate, Veteran)
- Judge Dorothy Baker Reyes (Superior Court Judge, Attorney)
- Coach Charles Smith, Jr. (Educator, Mentor, Coach)
Lakeisha Henton with the MLK branch explained why it’s important to honor these black pioneers as well as all such pioneers.
“In this day and age, we need to make sure that we honor our heritage, our culture,” said Henton. “We have our own celebrities here. We have stood on the backs of many of them and their contributions. Our theme this year was Each Other’s Harvest, fostering community, and applauding achievement. And I think that our AACHC, along with the Rapides Parish Library, is here to be a repository and make sure that those stories don’t get lost.”
Henton added that although she’s honoring the past, she also hopes it serves as an inspiration to today’s generation of black youth.
“We are more than what is portrayed in the media, we come from royalty,” said Henton. “We have contributed so much to this world to where they need to understand and stand up tall. It’s not about black history month. Me, myself, I’m black 365 days a year, and for that, I am very proud. And it’s important because as we move along, there are shoes that need to be filled. And we have kids out there with the talent and the right guidance that can fill those shoes.
Henton said the AACHC has planned to continue honoring pioneers in the black community each year.