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NATCHEZ — On Thursday, Sept. 26, BlackNatchez.org will highlight the work of Natchez activist and changemaker Dr. Lamar Braxton. The event will be held at Doll Baby’s at 6 Saint Catherine St., with pre-event activities beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The onstage interview will begin at 7 p.m., with Dr. Braxton in conversation with BlackNatchez.org founder Joseph A.C. Smith. The event is free and open to the public. Guests will enjoy complimentary dinner entrees made possible through the generosity of the Braxton Family.

For nearly 42 years, Braxton led the AJFC Community Action Agency. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Natchez Chamber of Commerce and as commissioner of the Natchez Airport.

During his administration, Gov. William Winter appointed Braxton to serve on the
Mississippi Board of Public Welfare: Braxton accepted the appointment but only on the grounds that the Governor would appoint the State’s first black county welfare director (Braxton recommended Deloris Rankin, who Winter appointed.)

He served several terms as the President of the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies and a member of the NAACP Board of Directors under the leadership of Rev. Leon Howard. In collaboration with Rev. Wendell Greene, Braxton co-founded the United League of Organizations, which hosted Natchez’s first Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and led the effort to rename Pine Street in Dr. King’s honor.

The public is strongly encouraged to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from one of Natchez’s leading change makers. Visit BlackNatchez.org for more details and to reserve your free seat.