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This week, I was honored to present the Key to the City to Dr. Lamar Braxton, Sr., a Community Champion of Natchez – And Mississippi. The following is my tribute to this great Natchezian.

In recognition and appreciation of his many years of service to our community and state, we are blessed to honor Dr. Lamar Braxton, Sr. Born on May 30, 1934 to Ellis and Hannah Braxton, he was one of seven siblings, growing up in the beautiful community of Red Lick, Mississippi in rural Jefferson County. Blessed with a loving wife, Lee, and one son, Lamar, Jr., Dr. Braxton’s life has always been one of remarkable achievement. In 1967, having graduated from his beloved Alcorn State University, served his country in the US Army, and completed his Master’s in History from Tennessee State University, young Lamar Braxton was about to begin his doctoral program when he was asked to serve as director of the newly-formed Adams-Jefferson Improvement Corporation, a community organization formed to serve residents of the two county area. His assignment was only expected to last six months, all the fledgling agency had in funding. Life has a funny way of working out. That temporary assignment ended up lasting almost 42 years – and what a difference Dr. Braxton made! He expanded that small organization into the AJFC Community Action Agency, serving residents in need from Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Copiah and several other counties. As the agency’s longtime CEO, his influence and realm of service helped transform the lives of thousands, not only throughout Natchez and our surrounding communities, but throughout our state and even beyond, to our nation.

During his many years of service and leadership, Dr. Braxton was a pioneer. He organized one of our state’s first computer training schools on the campus of Natchez College, just when Time Magazine was naming the computer as Man of the Year. His “Computer Camp” provided training for 40 youths from Southwest Mississippi each summer, giving them a head start above many others in the nation. Speaking of a head start, Dr. Braxton brought the national program Head Start to Southwest Mississippi, opening centers across our region and providing early childhood education to thousands of our citizens. When two governors vetoed funding, Dr. Braxton quickly secured funding elsewhere and kept the centers open.

Dr. Braxton’s far-reaching contributions are too many to count: development of housing for the needy, creation of economic opportunity for the disadvantaged, leadership as a Director of the Natchez Adams Chamber of Commerce and Commissioner for the Natchez Airport, and pioneer for the advancement of black Mississippians as a leader of the NAACP and Co-Founder of the United League of Organizations. He helped organize Natchez’ first-ever Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and led the effort to rename Pine Street in honor of Dr. King. Through his influence as the first man of color to ever serve as director of a community agency in Mississippi, Dr. Braxton was appointed by Governor William Winter to the Mississippi Board of Public Welfare. At his request, Governor Winter also appointed Deloris Rankin to be the first ever black county welfare director. As a three-time President of the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies, Dr. Braxton expanded Mississippi’s community action agencies from 62 to all 82 counties in the state, and he also served for many years on the Executive Board of the General Missionary Baptist Convention. His was always a mission for equality, unity and racial harmony. And his legacy continues today.

Now therefore, in my capacity as Mayor of Natchez, and on behalf of our Board of Aldermen, it is my pleasure to present to Dr. Lamar Braxton this Key to the City.

He is a true example of #NatchezStrong.

Dan M. Gibson is mayor of Natchez.