On Sat., Feb. 24, First Baptist Church Whatley held its first Who’s Who Among African Americans in Covington County.

John Carpenter served as moderator, and Andalusia native Darrell Thomas helped coordinate the event.

See related story: He took a seat to make a stand

A number of African Americans were recognized for being the first to take on certain roles.

Dr. Joe Reed, chairman of the Democratic National Committee Black Caucus was the guest speaker.

Those honored included:

• Robert Matthews, First African American Police Officer, City of Andalusia
• John (J.D.) Shakespeare. First African American Police Chief, Red Level
• Ethan Dorsey – First African American Fire Chief, City of Andalusia
• Alice Donaldson – First African American Female Lieutenant, Andalusia Police Department
• Nathan Mahones – First African American State Trooper
• Mavene Nichols – First African American employed by the Andalusia Public Library
• Dr. Millard McWhorter – First African American Male Physician
• Dr. Monica Gaskin – First African American Female Physician
• Sammy Glover – First African American to serve on the Board of Registrars
• Janice Shakespeare – First African American employed by the Andalusia Municipal Court System
• Mary Belcher Gandy- First African American, Office of the Andalusia City Clerk
• Carolyn Culiver Kilgore – First African American, Covington County District Attorney’s Office
• Sandra Brooks – First African American, Covington County Revenue Commissioner’s Office
• Sammy Glover – First African American, Board of Registrars
• Lena Boswell – First African American Executive Director, Andalusia Public Housing
• Lewis Carpenter – First African American Council Member, City of Andalusia
• Joe Bradley – First African American elected to the Town Council, Red Level
• Eloise Judson – First African American on the Town Council, Lockhart
• Eloise Judson – First African American Mayor pro-tem, Lockhart
• Mattie Freeney – First African American Mayor pro-tem, River Falls
• Lou Ann Freeney-Cunningham – First African American, Covington County Soil Conservation Service
• Michael Heard – First African American Developmental Fire Management Officer, Conecuh Ranger District
• Michael Heard – First African American District Fire Management Officer, Conecuh Ranger District
• Michael Heard – First African American Forest Fire Management Officer for the National Forest Service in Alabama
• Michael Heard – First African American District Supervisor, Covington County Soil and Water Conservation District
• Michael Heard – First African American County Director, Covington County Cattlemen’s Association
• Peggy Denson – First African American Secretary, Covington County Extension Service
• Alphonso Simpson – First African American coach, Andalusia High School
• Richard Robertson – First African American Head Basketball, Football, and Track Coach as well as Athletic Director, Andalusia High School
• Dwight Stone – First African American Professional Football Player
• Tim Jessie – First African American Professional Football Player
• Robert Horry – First African American Professional Basketball Player
• John Carpenter – First African American male professor, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
• Joseph James Robinson – First African American, Covington County Schools Board of Education
• Sammy Glover – First African American appointed to the Andalusia City School Board of Education
• Joe Nix – First African American elected to the Andalusia City School Board of Education
• Thelma Thomas – First African American female to be transferred to a predominantly white school system (pre-integration)
• Mrs. Helen Baker, Elmore Lewis, Mrs. Mildred Smith, Willie Thomas – First African American teachers at Andalusia High School after schools were integrated
• Nelacy Bailey, Milton McIntosh, Nola Mae McIntosh, Carolyn Hartwell Hill – First African American Teachers, Opp City Schools pre-integration
• Clara Bell Williams, Annie McGhee Glover – First African American Teachers, Opp City Schools after integration
• John Robert Stallworth – First African American student(s), Andalusia High School
• Celestine Crittenden Hall – First African American Graduate, Red Level School
• Class of 1971 – First African American Graduates, Andalusia High School after integration
• Class of 1983 – First African American students to complete all 12 years as an integrated school system
• Dr. Daniel Shakespeare – First African American Male Principal, Andalusia City Schools
• Victoria Anderson – First African American Female principal, Andalusia City Schools
• Ann Shakespeare – First African American Female Principal, Covington County Schools
• Addie Simpson – First African American to teach Art, Andalusia City School
• Darrell Thomas – First African American valedictorian, Andalusia High School
• Tami McGhee – First African American Female Valedictorian, Andalusia High School
• LaDonna Hutcherson – First African American, Covington County Junior Miss
• LaDonna Hutcherson – First African American Majorette, Andalusia High School
• Wanda Wytch – First African American teller, Covington County Bank
• Thelma Thomas and Willie Thomas – First African Americans to sit in the lower level of the Martin Theatre
• Ethel Robertson – First African American sales clerk and cashier employed by a white-owned business (Woolworth Woolco)
• Gerry James and Tommie James – First African Americans to sit and be served at the Woolworth lunch counter
• Hilry Trawick – First African American family to own a business on the Square
• Cassandra Scott – First African American at Southeast Gas

See related story: Trawick got his start shining shoes in 1950s

• Willie Hudson – First African American to own a business, Red Level
• Ruby Jean Miller – First African American operator employed at the phone company
• Louis Nelson – First African American, First National Bank of Opp
• Linda Tillis – First African American Female Teller, First National Bank of Opp
• Eddie McGhee – First African American repairman employed by GTE
• Willie Locke – First African American Postal Carrier, United States Postal Service, Andalusia
• Melisha Heard – First African American Postal Supervisor, United States Postal Service, Andalusia
• Leon Jackson – First African American UPS driver in Alabama
• Sue Weeden – First African American employed at Micolas • Mills in Opp
• Ellie Mae Smith – First African American Female, Sherwood Packaging (Box Factory), Andalusia
• Sammy Glover – First African American to serve on the Board of Directors of Andalusia Hospital