Eatonton native Virginia Reid Edwards received her AACEC award from Eatonton Mayor John Reid, signifying her role as one of the first Black women to be hired as a telephone operator in 1965 by Southern Bell in Atlanta. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Mayor Reid handed a recognition plaque to the family of Robert Woodson Reid, who in 1966 was killed in action at Pleiku, Vietnam. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Savannah College of Art and Design graduate Cyrus Nelson was among the first AACEC award recipients. IAN TOCHER/Staff
At 103 years old, Maureen Clemons was recognized from the podium before awards were handed out. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Eatonton councilmember and AACEC Assistant Secretary Janie Reid played a pivotal role at the Rock Eagle event. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Past U.S. Senate candidate and former Dekalb County CEO Michael Thurmond was the featured speaker at the inaugural AACEC event. IAN TOCHER/Staff
The Sadler Sisters, who provided singing entertainment during the AACEC awards show, also accepted an award with their brother, recognizing their mother Hennie’s groundbreaking home bakery in Eatonton of the 1960s. IAN TOCHER/Staff
The fledgling African American Cultural Experiences Complex (AACEC) held its inaugural awards luncheon and ceremony on July 12 at the Rock Eagle 4H Center.
Seating was at a premium as approximately 300 attendees filled the hall, where more than two dozen individuals, both living and deceased, were recognized with personalized plaques, handed out by AACEC Chairperson George Gary Andrews and Ci…
