As the nation celebrates the last few days of this year’s Black History Month, The Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation will honor the contributions of Bogalusa/Washington Parish 2019 Legends, Trailblazers and Supporters at its fourth annual Musical Tribute. In addition to recognizing our 2019 Honorees, Bogalusa will have our first ever recognition of “The Extraordinary 13+.”

Barbara Hicks Collins, executive director of The Hicks Foundation, says that in the process of preserving the history of extraordinary individuals who were involved in the struggle for equality, we sometimes make history. The special presentation at this year’s event is going to be one of those history-making moments. The public is invited to be part of this historic event.

Hicks Collins added, “we are indeed on the path of making our city a ‘Better Bogalusa’ and our Parish a ‘Proud People Parish.’”

This year’s Musical Tribute will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the B&C Hall. The semi formal event will start at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. The public can also call the Hicks Foundation (504-237-4656) to reserve tickets and VIP tables of 10.

The Musical Tribute will feature an evening of elegant dining with entertainment from Bogalusa’s own Chad Harry, Sister Alma Buckner and Fletcher Rudd, grandson of the late CAB Anderson and Fletcher Anderson and others.

To continue and enhance the celebration of 2018 as the “Year of Frederick Douglass, the event will have a portion of one of the famous speeches of Frederick Douglass recited by 5-year-old Jameson H. May, the son of Attorney and Mrs. Kelvin May and fourth generation of Deacon Sam Barnes Sr.

Bogalusa’s ROTC will once again volunteer their services for this event. The event organizers are very proud of these young people and their willingness to be a part of each year’s Musical Tribute.

“I am delighted that we can have young people in the same room as these Legends and Trailblazers,” Hicks Collins said. “Business and community members who are supporting this year’s tribute, as well as supporting the foundation’s efforts of   creating a civil rights museum in our parish and state, will be announced.

Returning to attend this event is the Legendary Dr. Stanley Rapoport of the Washington D.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the National Institute on Aging. Accompanying Rapoport this year will be his two sons, Erik Rapoport from San Francisco, Calif., and Stuart Rapoport from London.

“I want to hear the stories, meet the people and see the places where my father risked his life to help bring equality in Health Care for the African-Americans of Bogalusa and Louisiana,” Stuart Rapoport said.

“The foundation’s mission,” Hicks Collins said, “is to pass on history to all the ‘Stuarts’ of this generation and generations that follow.”