Greene County Democrat

Category: Community

  • Celebrating Dr. King by calling Greene County’s Community to ‘Serve with Love’

    By Maya Quinn, Reporter

    Greene County’s Historic community and neighbors gathered on a chilly morning at the Activity Center in Eutaw for a breakfast prepared by local volunteers. The comforting, southern spread preceded a celebration at William M. Branch Courthouse to honor the love and life of Dr. King this past Monday.

    The event was not only a celebration but also a reminder that Dr. King was a servant at the heart of his actions. The impact of his efforts persists today because of his sacrifices for the community, his help to others, and his leadership with love.

    At breakfast, Eutaw’s mayor, Corey Cockrell, humbly addressed the crowd with reverence for those seated with him. Former Union Mayor Lodyleetta J. Wabbington was also present to give her own greetings at the courthouse. Wabbington gave remarks calling Dr. King “our drum major for justice,” describing him as a man of nonviolence, great integrity, and justice. She also gave a brief biography of Dr. King’s origins and academic history, highlighting his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse and his doctorate from Boston University.

    The celebrations had greetings delivered by a variety of individuals, including African Americans who contributed to Eutaw’s grassroots movements and previous governmental leaders. One such man was William Branch Jr., son of the courthouse’s namesake. He retold an impactful story of his father helping a white man who came to their doorstep in search of water. William Branch gave the man water and food, despite his unfriendly tone. He believed his father had a spirit that operated in love and grace.

    Community Chairman Garria Spencer then began his remarks by recounting the purpose of this historic community. Every hand involved with the construction of the buildings was an African American man or woman. The strategic placement of the buildings helped increase African American voting participation. Spencer fought to have the building named after Branch because of his kindness and love shown to those around him, much like Dr. King.

    Latasha Johnson, the second African American female mayor and former mayor of Eutaw, also spoke on love in leadership. “Love is an action word,” she stated as she recalled the leadership of Dr. King, “We have got to come together in love.”

    Special guest and lifelong activist Attorney John Due, age 91, recounted the struggles that he and his late wife, Patricia Stephens Due, endured for their nonviolent, direct actions. Patricia pioneered many nonviolent tactics that Dr. King later piloted, such as sit-ins and the Tallahassee bus boycotts. She was well known for her involvement in the Florida bus boycotts and for leading students in nonviolent protests. He ended his speech with a call to action for young people to carry on the struggle for freedom in America.

    Reverend Dr. Kevin Cockrell attended as the keynote speaker of the event. Much like Dr. King, he is well educated and serves his community. “We’ve been waiting too long…” he stated during his sermon, “Small communities such as ours are struggling to keep an adequate health facility’s doors open.” He warns that the current generation may be sleeping through a revolution, comparing the lack of action to Rip Van Winkle’s sleep. Cockrell concluded his sermon with another warning, this time against division in the heart that spreads into the community.

    After the closing remarks, Spiver also offered the microphone to anyone in attendance. John Zippert, owner of The Democrat, recited some of Dr. King’s sermon “The Drum Major’s Instinct” regarding a posture of service.

    “You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

    Spiver concluded his remarks by stating, “Everyone can help other people… That’s what we’re celebrating here today.”

    An almost endless stream of warm recognitions for the city’s “Godly Men” and “Godly Women” were presented by event coordinator and local activist, Spiver Gordon. The list of men and women ranged from church members to city officials. Spiver acknowledged their sacrifices to serve in any capacity they were able. Eutaw’s community keeps reminding us that the best way to honor Dr. King is to lead with love and have kindness for others in our hearts.

    Citizens and neighbors of Greene County are putting aside biases not only to honor the legacy of Dr. King, but also to strive for unity in their own community. While the furnace of justice within these men and women still burns, they are ready to pass on the fight for justice to the youth of today.
    There was also a program on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the New Peace Baptist Church. Elder Spiver Gordon, brought nearly 100 Greene County High School students to an educational seminar on Black history and the importance of standing up for justice and equality. The newly selected Superintendent for Greene County, Dr. Timothy Thurmond, spoke to the students before the seminar discussion began. Student participation with the speakers, Elder Gordon and the Interim Superintendent, Darryl Aikerson, made for an enjoyable event where everyone learned about the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.

     

  • Newswire : 10 Meaningful ways to observe Martin Luther King Day Of Service and make an impact

    Source: Universal History Archive / Getty

    As the holiday quickly approaches, tap in to some ways that you can make a difference, whether big or small, to honor a legend’s dream.

    By Davonta Herring, NewsOne

    Martin Luther King Day—more specifically, Martin Luther King Day of Service—is right around the corner. Every year, the holiday gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and tap back into the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders this country has ever known. Dr. King wasn’t just about powerful speeches and historic marches; he was about action, community, and showing up for one another in real, tangible ways.
    Dr. King’s birthday became a federal holiday in 1983, with the first official observance taking place in 1986. Years later, Congress designated it as a “Day of Service,” shifting the focus from a day off to a day on. The idea is simple but powerful: instead of just honoring Dr. King with words, we honor him through service. By giving back, helping others, and strengthening our communities, we live out the values he fought for.
    On MLK Day of Service, communities across the country come together to volunteer, organize, donate, and uplift. From food drives and marches to teach-ins and mentorship programs, the day is all about collective impact. It’s one of the few holidays rooted in the idea that change doesn’t just come from the top – it comes from everyday people doing what they can, where they are. 
    What makes this day especially meaningful is that anyone can participate. You don’t need a big platform, a lot of money, or a large group to make a difference. Whether you’re moving solo, with friends, or as part of an organization, there are countless ways to show up and serve with purpose. Even small actions can ripple outward and create real change. 
    If you’re looking for ways to get involved this year, here are 10 meaningful ways to observe MLK Day of Service and make an impact – all rooted in community, intention, and love for the people
    1. Volunteer At Local Shelters & Food Banks
    Spend the day serving meals, organizing donations, or helping families in need. It’s one of the most direct ways to support your community and meet people where they are. 
    2. Organize A Community Clean-Up
    Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends to clean up a park, a block, or a neighborhood. A cleaner environment shows care, pride, and respect for where we live.
    3. Mentor A Youth Or Student
    Offer guidance, encouragement, or academic support to a young person. Your lived experience and advice could be exactly what they need to stay motivated and focused. 
    4. Donate To Civil Rights Or Social Justice Organizations
    Even with limited time, giving financially is still impactful. Supporting organizations that fight for equity helps sustain long-term change beyond one day.
    5. Host Educational Events Or Discussions
    Create space for conversation around Dr. King’s legacy, civil rights history, or current social issues. Knowledge-sharing keeps the movement alive and evolving. 
    6. Support Black-Owned Businesses
    Put your dollars where your values are. Shopping Black helps circulate money within the community and supports entrepreneurs building generational wealth. 
    7. Create Care Packages For Essential Workers
    Assemble bags with snacks, hygiene items, or thank you notes for healthcare workers, teachers, or first responders. A small gesture can go a long way.
    8. Advocate For Policy Change Or Attend Rallies
    Use your voice by calling representatives, signing petitions, or attending peaceful demonstrations. Civic engagement is a key way to honor Dr. King’s work.
    9. Use Social Media To Spread Awareness & Inspire Action 
    Share resources, volunteer opportunities, or educational content. Your post might motivate someone else to get involved or think differently. 
    10. Commit To A Year-Round Service Plan
    Martin Luther King Day is a starting point, not the finish line. Choose one cause you care about and find ways to serve consistently throughout the year.
    MLK Day of Service reminds us that change isn’t seasonal – it’s a lifestyle. However you choose to participate, the goal is to move with intention, compassion, and community at the center. That’s how we truly honor the dream!

  • Newswire : Newly released photos show Rosa Parks at the Selma-to-Montgomery March in 1965

     

     Parks speaks in front of the Alabama State Capitol on March 25, 1965.
    Matt Herron / Jeannine Herron and Stanford University Libraries via AP file

    By The Associated Press

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Seven decades after Rosa Parks was thrust indelibly into American history for refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, new photos of the Civil Rights Movement icon have been made public for the first time, and they illustrate aspects of her legacy that are often overlooked.
    The photos were taken by the late Civil Rights photographer Matt Herron, and they depict Parks at the march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 — a five-day-long, 54-mile (87-kilometer) trek that is often credited with galvanizing political momentum for the U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965.
    History lessons tend to define Parks by her act of civil disobedience a decade earlier, on Dec. 1, 1955, which launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott. On Friday, some boycott participants and many of the boycott organizers’ descendants gathered to mark 70 years since the 381-day struggle in Alabama’s capital caught national attention, overthrowing racial segregation on public transportation.
    The never-before-seen photos released to the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery in December 2025, taken a decade after the boycott, are a reminder that her activism began before and extended well beyond her most well-known act of defiance, said Donna Beisel, the museum’s director
    “This is showing who Ms. Parks was, both as a person and as an activist,” Beisel said.
    There are plenty of other photos placing Parks among the other Civil Rights icons who attended the march, including some that were taken by Herron. But others were never printed or put on display in any of the photographer’s numerous exhibits and books throughout his lifetime.
    Herron moved to Jackson, Mississippi, with his wife and two young kids in 1963 after Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers was assassinated. For the next two years, his photos captured some of the most notable people and events of that time. But in most of his photos, Herron’s lens was trained on masses of everyday people who empowered Civil Rights leaders to make change.
    Herron’s wife, Jeannine Herron, 88, said that the photos going public this week were discovered from a contact sheet housed in a library at Stanford University.
    The photos weren’t selected for print at the time because they were blurry or included people whose names weren’t as well known in Parks’ case, the new photos show her sitting among the crowd, looking away from the camera.
    Now, Jeannine Herron is joining forces with historians and surviving Civil Rights activists in Alabama to reunite the work with the communities that they depict.
    “It’s so important to get that information from history into local people’s understanding of what their families did,” Jeannine Herron said.

  • Newswire : Report: No Alabama county saw more than 3 votes cast by noncitizens

    Alabama voting booth

    Three in four Alabama counties were found to have no record of noncitizen voting activity.

    By Jacob Holmes, Alabama Political Reporters


    New data reported by Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen shows that no Alabama county saw more than three votes potentially cast illegally by noncitizens.
    Allen announced last week that 186 individuals would be purged from voter rolls after identifying them as potential noncitizens through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. Of those 186 individuals, Allen said voting records showed 25 of them had actually cast ballots.
    APR emailed Allen’s office seeking clarification on whether those individuals cast votes over multiple election cycles or a single cycle. A spokesperson for the office responded that because referrals have been made to law enforcement, “we can’t provide specific information about any case.”
    Allen released a breakdown Monday of how many potentially illegal ballots were cast in each Alabama county. The 25 “non-citizen registered voters with voting history” were spread across 18 Alabama counties. That means the purge only identified any cases of noncitizen voting in 25 percent of Alabama’s 67 counties.
    The 18 counties identified were Baldwin, Blount, Chilton, Clarke, Colbert, Franklin, Henry, Houston, Jefferson, Lee, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike and Tuscaloosa.
    Of those 18 counties, 13 of them saw just one potential noncitizen each with a recorded voting history. Colbert, Jefferson and Lee Counties had two potential noncitizen voters each while Baldwin and Montgomery had three apiece.
    It follows that in 13 Alabama counties; potential noncitizen votes could only affect the outcome of any particular race if it came down to one vote. Similarly, in the other counties, the noncitizen vote would only impact races separated by up to two or three votes. Those situations do arise at the smallest, most localized races, but are rare.

    Henry County, one of the smallest counties listed, saw 9,320 ballots cast in the 2024 general election. The potential noncitizen vote would account for just over 0.01 percent of the vote in that instance. Over in Madison County, in that same election, its potential one noncitizen vote would account for 0.0005 percent of the vote, rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth of a percent. 
    The closest race in 2024 came down to 40 votes in Monroe County, where there is no evidence that noncitizen voting could have occurred.
    A Republican primary for the Alabama State Senate seat representing Auburn did come down to a tie in 2022, in Lee County, where two potential noncitizens have a voting history. It is unclear, however, whether either of those individuals voted in that particular race or cycle.
    While individuals have been purged from the rolls and referred to law enforcement, the actual citizenship status of each individual has not yet been confirmed. While Allen’s release refers to the individuals purged as “illegally registered noncitizens,” the legal status of the voters has not been proven in court, and the program used to identify potential noncitizens is known to contain potential errors. Allen’s office afforded flagged individuals on the voter rolls the opportunity to respond and show proof of citizenship, and purged those who did not respond with that proof. 
    “Our elections must be decided by American citizens and only American citizens,” Allen said. “While liberal organizations and media outlets claim noncitizen voting is not a problem, my office has proven otherwise. Under my watch, illegal registration and illegal voting by noncitizens will not be tolerated in Alabama. My office will continue to identify these violations, refer them to law enforcement, and ensure the full force of the law is applied.”

  • Newswire : From Civil Rights to ICE Raids, Trump’s unchecked power puts every community at risk

    ICE raid in Chicago

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Donald Trump’s presidency has long carried a familiar weight for Black America. What feels different now is that the force once aimed primarily at Black and brown communities is no longer contained there. With the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old white mother of three, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, the unchecked power of the federal government has moved into spaces many Americans once believed were insulated.
    Good was killed during an immigration operation after her vehicle moved forward as agents blocked a roadway. Federal officials quickly labeled the shooting self-defense and branded Good, a “domestic terrorist,” even as video and eyewitness accounts raised questions and Minnesota officials accused the Trump administration of weaponizing immigration enforcement. Protests spread across the state, and Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul sued the federal government, calling the deployment of immigration agents a “federal invasion.”
    As the unrest grew, Trump responded with a Truth Social post aimed at Minnesotans that read less like a call for calm and more like a threat. He warned that a “DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING,” while painting entire communities as overrun by criminals and praising ICE for removing “thousands of criminals,” claims local leaders sharply disputed.
    For many Black Americans, the moment felt grimly familiar.
    “This is what unchecked power looks like,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of National Action Network. “Donald Trump sent up his latest test balloon for erasing Black history with his twisted, alarming claims that white Americans were discriminated against from the civil rights protections that many fought, bled, and in many cases died for.”
    Sharpton’s remarks came after Trump told The New York Times that white people were “very badly treated” by laws adopted during the Civil Rights Movement. The president framed civil rights protections as a form of “reverse discrimination,” echoing a broader administration effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government.
    “The facts simply don’t match up to the reality Donald Trump has chosen to live in,” Sharpton said. “Even more than 60 years after the Civil Rights Act or the Voting Rights Act, many Black Americans continue to lack access to equitable education, capital dollars, or even their right to exercise democracy.”
    Under Trump, those disparities have widened. His administration has eliminated DEI programs, curtailed civil rights enforcement, and backed legal efforts that have weakened affirmative action and pushed the Voting Rights Act closer to irrelevance. Civil rights leaders say the policies are not abstract. They translate into lost jobs, closed pathways, and communities left unprotected.
    The timing of Trump’s comments struck another nerve.
    “That he made these statements on the eve of the King federal holiday is perhaps the most telling,” Sharpton said. “The Trump administration has already made attempts to minimize this holiday, as well as Juneteenth, while propping up his own birthday.”
    At the same time Trump has elevated claims of discrimination against white Americans, his administration has expanded aggressive immigration enforcement that critics say operates with little transparency or accountability. Investigations have documented immigration agents using banned chokeholds, detaining U.S. citizens, and conducting masked operations that leave communities fearful of leaving their homes.
    The consequences now extend beyond immigrant communities. Good’s killing, and the administration’s rapid defense of the agent involved, has jolted Americans who once viewed federal force as distant or theoretical.
    Members of the Congressional Black Caucus say the pattern is unmistakable. In a separate statement, caucus leaders condemned Trump for bypassing Congress to carry out an unauthorized military operation in Venezuela, calling it a grave abuse of power and warning that the president is increasingly willing to act without legal restraint, whether abroad or at home.
    “While Nicolás Maduro is, in fact, an illegitimate leader, the deployment of U.S. military power to impose political change in a sovereign nation without the consent of Congress threatens to draw the United States into an indefinite conflict,” the caucus said in its statement.
    For Black institutions, the pressure has been economic as well as political. The Black Press of America, founded nearly two centuries ago to give voice to people denied access to mainstream media, has seen corporate advertisers and sponsors retreat under the Trump era’s hostility toward racial equity. Newsrooms have shrunk. Resources have dried up. The mission has grown harder just as the stakes have risen.
    What Black America has warned about for years is now playing out in real time. A presidency that treats civil rights as disposable, dissent as criminal, and federal power as personal authority does not stop at one community.

  • State Rep. Curtis Travis seeking re-election

    It is election year in Alabama and State Rep. Curtis Travis (D – District 72) has announced he is seeking re-election. The first term Democrat’s district covers portions of Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Hale and Greene counties.
    As a political novice, Travis knocked off incumbent State Representative Ralph Anthony Howard in the May 2022 Democratic Party Primary with 52% of the vote. He was then unopposed in the fall General Election which led him to being sworn into office for the next term.
    The Tuscaloosa County Legislative Committee member was born and raised in Sawyerville in Hale County. He graduated from Akron High School then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alabama. Travis then obtained a master’s degree in environmental engineering.
    Travis’ career experience includes working as a builder, a manager, and an assistant pastor.
    Rep. Travis is a member of the Agriculture and Forestry Committee, Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee, Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit Committee, and Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee.
    Among the more prominent legislation he has sponsored or co-sponsored is a 2024 bill that allows simulcast racing for parimutuel wagering in Greene County, a 2024 bill that provided fair and reasonable terms for sale of agricultural equipment, Ad valorem taxes, a bill setting reappraisal of Class II and Class III property every three years, and legislation preserving Alabama’s state tax exemption on overtime pay.
    Rural expansion of broadband internet, rural healthcare and support for volunteer fire departments have been among his top priority issues.
    Party primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 with the General Election set for Tuesday, November 3

  • Garria Spencer seeks District One seat

    I am Garria Spencer, and this is to announce my candidacy for reelection for Greene County Commissioner of District One. My wife of fifty years Althenia Spencer, and I have three adult children, eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, I am a member of the First Baptist Church Union and serve on the Deacon Board. I am retired from Phifer Wire Product and presently work for the Greene County Board of Education serving as a proud Bus Driver.
    During my tenure over the past three years here are some of my accomplishments, I have helped in building storm shelters accessible to the communities. I have been able to pave four dirt roads in District One, I have worked tirelessly to keep our hospital open and maintain our ambulance service. 
    Greene County is my home and a county I truly love, and I pledge to use my experience, my good will and dedication to not only serve the people of District One but all of Greene County. I am asking for your vote, Your Support and Most Important Your Prayers. Experience Counts!

  • Tonjula Carey announces candidacy for District Court Judge


    My name is Tonjula Carey and I’m proud to announce my candidacy for District Court Judge in Greene County, Alabama.
    Greene County has always been a part of my story. Being surrounded by great people who believe in hard work and values is what makes this community so special. My roots are here and so is my heart. Greene County is more than just a place, it’s home.
    I’m running because I believe in a District Court that reflects the strength, resilience, and values of our community. A court that serves with integrity, transparency, and respect.
    After completing law school, I made the intentional decision to return back to Greene County. I wanted to pour back into the community that poured so much into me. My experiences here helped shape my character, values, and passion for justice. I knew I wanted to use my legal training to serve the people who helped mold me, to give back in a meaningful way, and to help strengthen the systems that impact our everyday lives. Coming back to Greene County wasn’t a career move, it was a calling. Having served in this community the past few years, I know that it is my purpose to be at the forefront of Justice and Change.
    As I begin this journey, I look forward to building a relationship with even more of the incredible people who make Greene County the strong and vibrant community it is today. In the months ahead, I’ll be sharing more about my vision and how we can work together to ensure our courts are accessible, transparent, and worthy of the trust placed in them.
    If you believe in building a court system that reflects our community’s values and serves with fairness and integrity, I invite you to join me — because justice matters, and so does your voice. Whether you can volunteer your time, help spread the word, or simply share your support, we welcome you. This campaign will be powered by people, and we can’t do it without you. Let’s do this, TOGETHER. I hope to earn your support, your prayers, and your vote in the Primary Election on May 19, 2026.

  • Greene Co. Racing Commission 2025 distribution totals nearly $2 million

    The Greene County Racing Commission (Linette Brown- Chairperson, Morris Hardy-Vice Chairman and Donald Means - Secretary) is proud to announce that its fourth -quarter distribution of $500,000 to local agencies, along with $10,000 to the Courthouse Fund brings its total 2025 distributions to the agencies and charities of Greene County, Alabama to nearly $2 million dollars.
    On August 8, 2025, the Racing Commission also disbursed its 2025 Charity Awards totaling $116,500 The Racing Commission holds two Charity Days each year one in March and one in July, the proceeds of which are distributed as charity disbursements. The Commission’s goal is to assist as many qualified 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization possible that provide vital services to the community.
    These organizations support a wide range of needs including health initiatives, food drives, parenting and adoption guidance, housing assistance, youth development camps, fire and emergency services, education and social services. The Racing Commission encourages the public to support Charity Days at the Palace.
    Disbursement under Senate Bill #40, Act No. 223-206 (“Bill”) for the year total $1,700,000, with an additional $40,000 for the courthouse fund. Under the Bill, each recipient percentage is determine by legislation. The Statement of Distribution provides detail information on the amounts allocated to each recipient. These awards are made possible through proceeds generated from licensed gaming activities at the Palace Entertainment Center.
    The Racing Commission is proud to report that in 2025 it provided a total of $1,856,500 to the Charities, agencies, municipalities and citizens of Greene County.

  • Newswire: Beyoncé is officially a billionaire, Forbes says

    She is the fifth musician to ever reach billionaire status, according to the outlet.

    By Kate Reilly , NBC News

    Beyoncé has officially reached billionaire status, Forbes reports.
    She is the fifth musician to ever hit the milestone, joining her husband, Jay-Z, as well as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna.
    Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammys history, has had major success in recent years. 
    In 2023, her 39-city, 56-show Renaissance tour made more than $500 million and drew more than 2.7 million concertgoers.

    Her “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” topped the box office during its opening weekend in December 2023, grossing $21 million.
    In 2024, she released the country album “Cowboy Carter,” which was named album of the year at the 2025 Grammys, where she took home three awards.
    The “Cowboy Carter Tour” grossed more than $400 million, making it the highest-grossing country tour in history, according to Pollstar.
    But her success extends much further back.
    In 1990, a 9-year-old Beyoncé formed the singing-rapping girl group “Girl’s Tyme,” which became known as “Destiny’s Child.”
    In 1999, the group won two Grammys for its album “The Writing’s on the Wall.” 
    The group eventually split, and Beyoncé pursued an incredibly successful solo career. 
    In 2003, she released her first solo album, “Dangerously in Love,” which dominated charts worldwide. 
    Beyoncé founded Parkwood Entertainment in 2010, which gives her control over almost every aspect of her music career in-house, according to Forbes.
    Beyoncé’s company “produces all of her music, documentaries and concerts, fronting most of the production costs in order to capture more of the back-end economics,” it said.