WALL OF EXCELLENCE – A BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROJECT
FEATURED HONOREE – DORIS TOPSY-ELVORD
Doris Topsy-Elvord, known as “Mother Doris” for her legendary work in the community, and for being both the first Black woman to be elected to the Long Beach City Council and the first Black person to serve on the harbor commission, has passed at the age of 90.
Topsy- Elvord’s last public appearance came in August when the city named the newly renovated community center complex in North Long Beach’s Houghton Park after her. Sitting in a wheelchair, she blew kisses at Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who called her “a history maker in Long Beach, an incredible woman who continues to leave an important legacy in our community.”
HONOREES 2012 – 2022
The honorees were nominated in recognition of their service to persons and projects in various African-American populations and communities. Their hard work and dedication made them stand out, and their “out-of-the- box” thinking and amazing ideas helped this community grow. We understand the hard work they have put in. It is not easy for a person to get recognition consistently. It really shows how much they have done and proves that they have worked selflessly every moment for the benefit of others.
Dr. Vickie McCloyn Education Teacher
Dr. Alex Norman Education Professor Emeritus, UCLA School Of Public Affairs
Dr. Felton Williams Education Past President, LBUSD Board
Bill Barnes Education Retired Educator
Steven Neal Community Activist Pastor
Phyllis Venable Community Activist Entrepreneur
Naomi Rainey Community Activist NAACP President, Long Beach Chapter
Lindsay Hughes Community Activist Entrepreneur
Winnie Carter Community Activist Retired
Doris Topsy-Elvord Government Retired, Vice Mayor, City Of Long Beach
Lori Ann Farrell Harrison Government City Manager, City Of Costa Mesa
Wilma Powell Government Retired Director, Port Of Long Beach
Robin D. Perry, Esq Business Lawyer
Walter Larkins Business Entrepreneur
Thaddus Jackson Business Photographer
Anitra Dempsey Government Retired Director, Police Citizen’s Complaint Commission
John Howard Business Entrepreneur
Thomas Fields Business Advertising
Darick J. Simpson Nonprofit
President, The Earl B. & Loraine H. Miller Foundation
Tunua Thrash-Ntuk Nonprofit Executive Director, LISC Of Los Angeles County
Alisha Wade Nonprofit CEO New Hope Senior Home
Steve Goodling Nonprofit President & CEO, Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Reginald Harrison Government Director, Disaster Preparedness, City Of Long Beach
Maxie Viltz Community Service Entrepreneur, Village Treasures
Marie Threadwell Community Service Retired Educator
Ivy Goolsby Community Service Director, International Realty & Investments
Dr. Minnie Douglas Community Service Retired Director, Nursing Foundation
Roberta & Matthew Jenkins Philanthropists Jenkins Family Foundation
Sharon & David McLucas, Philanthropists Forgotten Images
Dr. Joseph Iwaujoku & Dr. Suzanne Fussell Philanthropists
Dr. Oliver T. Brooks Healthcare Chief Medical Officer, Watts Healthcare Corp.
Dr. Phyllis Hayes-Reams Healthcare Kaiser Permanente
Kimberly Maddox Public Service Police Officer
Clarence Long Arts Photographer
Otis Reid Public Service Firefighter
Reverend Joseph Chaney Community Activist Senior Pastor
Lori S. Gay, President & CEO Business Neighborhood Housing Services Of Los Angeles
Kenneth A. McDonald Business President & CEO, Long Beach Transit
Carolyn Caldwell Business President & CEO, Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center
