The Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce will recognize five persons during its13th annual banquet on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Fred Hobdy Assembly Center on the Grambling State University campus.
There will be a wine and cheese event at 6 p.m. and the dinner and awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.
Dr. Mark Hunter will present the recipient for the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Center/The Dr. Dorothy Alexander “Read – Me – A – Story” Program and honoree Theresa Watt; Augustine Moore will present Johnny Gray; Alicia Williams will present the (NAMI-Ruston) National Alliance on Mental Illness and Dr. Rhonda R. Pruitt will present Pastor Juluis Sumler.
The R.W. E. Jones Education Award will be presented to the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Center/The Dr. Dorathy Alexander “Read – Me – A – Story” Program Founded in 2001, the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Development Center Foundation (PCWLDC) has been a cornerstone of public service for the citizens of Grambling, Louisiana, and its surrounding areas.
The foundation’s mission is to promote human welfare through education, social and physical development, political awareness, and economic empowerment. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PCWLDC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the community through its innovative programs. One of its most celebrated initiatives is the Dr. Dorothy Alexander “Read Me A Story” Program, which has been serving children in surrounding parishes for over a decade. This program focuses on literacy, leadership, and educational development for children aged 4-9, providing an enriching experience that fosters a love for reading and learning.
The L. D. Land Government Award will be accepted by Theresa Wyatt, a proud mother and grandmother whose commitment to her family is matched only by her dedication to public service. She is the mother of two daughters, Acqueline Bobbitt (Richard) and Marshal Moore Hodge, and the loving grandmother of two grandchildren, Erin and Ellington Moore Hodge.
Theresa’s legacy of leadership and service extends far beyond her family, reaching deep into the heart of Lincoln Parish. Theresa served with distinction on the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, where her influence and accomplishments were widely felt. She made history as the longest-serving female president of the Police Jury and was the first woman to serve as chairman of the Lincoln Parish Sales Tax Commission. Her leadership was marked by significant achievements, including traveling to Washington, D.C., for three consecutive years, where she successfully helped secure more than $75 million in funding for the Tarbutton Exchange project. Her impact continued during her tenure at the Lincoln Parish Event Center, where she played a pivotal role in securing over $9 million in funding, making the health unit a reality for the community.
Theresa’s dedication to equality ensured that all districts were represented fairly on committees with large budgets, emphasizing her commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable local government. The City of Grambling also benefited from Theresa’s leadership. Her efforts contributed to the overlay of streets, the awarding of adjudicated properties for the city’s growth, and a level of community service that set a high standard for others to follow. Through her tireless work, Theresa Wyatt has left an indelible mark on Lincoln Parish, shaping its future and championing progress for all its residents. Her career stands as a testament to the power of dedication, leadership, and a vision for equality and community growth.
Johnny Gray will receive the A.D. Smith Business Award. Johnny’s career is marked by an impressive range of accomplishments and ventures. From 1968 to 1972, he began his professional journey as a life insurance agent with Constitutional Life. His entrepreneurial spirit took flight in 1972 when he founded Gray’s Insurance Agency, a business he has successfully run for over five decades. That same year, he also launched Gray’s Trailer Park and Rentals, further establishing himself as a leader in his community. Johnny’s commitment to public service extended beyond business. For more than 50 years, he has served as an official for football and basketball, a role that has earned him respect and admiration in the world of sports officiating. His other roles included serving as a parish Notary Public since 1979 and managing Western Union telegraph services from 1982 until 2024.
From 1983 to 2017, Johnny operated the Greyhound Bus Line in Grambling, further contributing to the town’s infrastructure and connectivity. He also founded and operated A&A Bail Bonds from 1988 to 2002, continuing his diverse entrepreneurial ventures. In addition to his business and civic engagements, Johnny has been an active member of various organizations, including Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Phi Omega. He is also a dedicated member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Grambling, Louisiana, where he has remained committed to his faith and community. Johnny Gray’s life has been one of service, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Through his businesses, public roles, and community involvement, he has played a vital part in the growth and well-being of Grambling and the surrounding areas. He continues to be a proud entrepreneur and insurance agent, always driven by the joy and reward of serving the people and the institutions he loves.
The Thelma Smith Williams Community Service Award will be presented to the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Ruston, Chapter (NAMI Ruston) is a distinguished nonprofit organization with a rich 38-year history of serving individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. Founded by a dedicated group of 12 family members from Grambling and Ruston, NAMI Ruston has grown into a vital community resource with 250 active members and volunteers. NAMI Ruston’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities impacted by mental health conditions through education, support, advocacy, and raising public awareness. Serving North and Central Louisiana, it stands as one of six affiliates in the state and is part of a larger national network, comprising over 700 affiliates across the country.
In 2022, NAMI Ruston was awarded a $662,349.00 three-year contract from the Louisiana Department of Health – Office of Behavioral Health. This funding supports Postsecondary Education Peer Support Programs at Grambling State University, Louisiana State University – Shreveport, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. These programs provide crucial peer support for students navigating mental health challenges during their academic journeys, further expanding NAMI Ruston’s reach and impact in the region. NAMI Ruston is guided by a dedicated leadership team committed to advancing mental health advocacy.
Through its unwavering commitment to advocacy and support, NAMI Ruston has become a cornerstone in Louisiana’s mental health landscape. Its work empowers individuals, supports families, and educates communities, offering hope and help to those who need it most.
Pastor Julius Sumler will receive the Special Recognition Award. In the heart of Grambling, Pastor Sumler stands as a beacon of wisdom, leadership, and faith-driven mentorship. His journey, deeply rooted in both academic achievement and extensive pastoral experience, positions him as a pivotal figure within his community. Since May 2002, Pastor Sumler has been a guiding light as the Pastor and Teacher at New Rocky Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Grambling. His academic path, characterized by a relentless pursuit of theological knowledge, sees him on the brink of earning a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) degree from The New Testament Church School of Theology in Jonesboro, anticipated in 2024. His academic foundation was laid with a Master of Arts in Religion from the Baptist Missionary Association Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas, and a Bachelor of Science in Organization Management from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, complemented by his formative years at Carroll High School in Monroe.
Pastor Sumler’s educational pursuits extend beyond his formal degrees, having engaged with esteemed institutions such as the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, Shreveport Bible School in Shreveport, Louisiana, Grambling State University, and the Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, Texas. Each of these experiences has enriched his pastoral capabilities and deepened his commitment to academic excellence. The tapestry of Pastor Sumler’s pastoral career began in January 1981 at St. Paul Baptist Church in West Monroe, Louisiana, weaving through various congregations including St. Mark Baptist Church in Keithville, Louisiana; Zion Hill Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana; and St. John Missionary Baptist Church in East Palo Alto, California, before culminating in his current role. In each position, he has embodied the dual role of Pastor and Teacher, fostering spiritual growth and educational empowerment. Over three decades of service, Pastor Julius Sumler has exemplified a life of devout leadership and community engagement.
His stewardship at New Rocky Valley Missionary Baptist Church stands as a testament to his profound influence on both his congregation and the broader Grambling community. The life and work of Pastor Julius Sumler exemplify a profound dedication to serving others through spiritual guidance and educational leadership. His continued scholarly pursuits in theology and organization management amplify his ability to nurture and lead his community effectively, marking him as an indispensable leader and an enduring source of spiritual inspiration.