Tuesday February 24, 2004

Media Release
For Immediate Release

For Information Contact:
Jennifer F. Brislin
502.574.4137

Patrick H. Neely
502.574.1351

The Louisville Metro Council's Minority Affairs Committee will celebrate Black History Month by honoring African Americans who have been pioneers in the community's history. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers, third floor of City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson St.

The committee will recognize:

Councilwoman Denise Bentley, first African American female president of the Board of Aldermen;

Ret. Lt. Col. Jackie Cooper, highest ranking African American officer with the old Jefferson County Police Department;

Dr. Joyce Howell, first African American to serve as chairwoman of the old Louisville Board of Education;

Hon. Darryl T. Owens, first African American county commissioner;

Hon. Georgia Powers, first African American state senator;

Judge Ben Shobe, first African American judge in Jefferson County;

William Summers IV, first African American deputy mayor;

Dr. Adewale Troutman; first African American director of health in the Louisville Metro area;

Chief Robert White, first African American chief of police; and

Dr. Milton Young, first African American intern at Louisville General Hospital.

The ceremony will include entertainment by the Jefferson County Corrections Choir and Louisville Metro employees, and will be followed by a reception at noon.

The public is invited to attend.

Sponsor(s)

Barbara Shanklin (D)  2