Neighborhood Leadership awardee Flora Bannis, of Flora’s Child Care on Brent Street, was surprised by a contingent of her students during her award presentation. Seth Daniel photos
With a packed house in the Great Hall at Codman Square, the annual Hidden Heroes & Sheroes Gala feted a range of neighborhood leaders who typically avoid the spotlight but who, on the night of Nov. 22, found themselves front and center.
A long-standing partnership for more than 25 years between the Codman Square Neighborhood Council (CSNC) and the Four Corners Action Coalition, the gala seeks to recognize neighbors who work quietly to help others in the community. The event also raises money to fund three $6,000 scholarships for young people from the neighborhood that are bestowed in the name of the late Rev. Dr. Bill Loesch, who started the gala series more in 1987.
“Typically, these awardees don’t want to be recognized; they love helping their community but don’t seek the spotlight,” said Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, Rev. Loesch’s daughter, who serves as president of the CSNC.
Added Stafford Lewis, of Four Corners: “We know you don’t want to be outed, but you are now known, and with that, more will be expected of you.”
Those on the selection committee included Loesch-Johnson, Dynell Andrews-Blake, Britton Levy, Vicma Desir, Amy Winter, Antoine Brewster, Erica Davis, Mayra Duran, Marvin Martin, and Richard Scott.
The evening began with a reception hour followed by a formal dinner catered by a collaboration of Four Corners and Codman Square restaurants and ended with the awards ceremony.
Elected officials in attendance included state Reps. Russell Holmes, Brandy Fluker-Oakley, and Chris Worrell. City Councillors in attendance included Brian Worrell, Julia Mejia, Henry Santana, and John FitzGerald.
The Millennium Award went to long-time community leader and former voting rights activist Ron Bell, who also works a radio host based in Codman Square.