On Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the B & C Hall at 139 Cumberland Street in Bogalusa, The Robert “BOB” Hicks Foundation will honor 2018 Legends, Trailblazers and Supporters at its annual Black History Month Event. This year’s Musical Tribute will recognize individuals who have impacted the Bogalusa/Washington Parish community through their contributions, achievements and positive examples.
Barbara Hicks-Collins, the executive director of The Hicks Foundation said, “We are proud to report that within the past two years, we have recognized 52 Legends, Trailblazers and Supporters and have successfully recorded histories that will be made a part of the Bogalusa/Washington Parish Civil Rights Museum. Our work of educating and preserving history for this generation is not over. This Saturday Tribute will add an additional 15 individuals to the Civil Rights Museum list of Legends and Trailblazers including the first African American up-front receiving clerk at the Bogalusa Laundry, Willene Ellzey; the first African American Louisiana State Trooper, Rev. Dr. Ernest Marcelle, Jr. PHD; the Museum’s Visionary Educator, Merlin Duke (Posthumously); Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-CM Boxley, an original member of  Deacon for Defense and Justice from Mississippi; and Bogalusa native son, Dr. Jackie Mayfield who is the founder and co-owner of Compro Tax, the largest black-owned bookkeeping and tax preparation firm in the United States, in addition to other contributors to the community.
The public is invited to come out and meet our 2018 Legends, Trailblazers and Supporters. For information about purchasing tickets and/or VIP tables for 10, call Barbara Hicks-Collins at 504-237-4656 or email bbhicks.collins@gmail.com.  Interested supporters can also pay when they arrive at the door.