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Leo Blakley and
Leechia Jones Inducted into Black Archives Hall of Fame
18 February 2010
The Black Archives Museum Hall of Fame welcomed two new inductees, Leo Blakley and Leechia Jones, at the Black
Archives Museum, 3406 Frederick Avenue at a reception and induction
ceremony on Thursday, February 18. The Black Archives
Museum Hall of Fame, which showcases the achievements of St. Joseph’s
Black Community, adds two new inductees annually. (Continued below)
Click on
images for larger view
The St. Joseph Museums first re-opened the Black Archives Museum in
February of 2003. The Black Archives Museum includes photographs,
interactive exhibits, and artifacts representing the Black experience in
St. Joseph’s history, with topics ranging from the slave trade to school
desegregation, and black musicians from St. Joseph. A highlight of the
Archives is the Hall of Fame. Jewell Robinson, founder of the original
Knea-Von Black Archives Museum, and his wife Geraldine, were the first
inductees. Other inductees have been Helen and Ramadhan Washington,
Earnestine Blakley, Jerry Cooper, Alonzo Weston, Joyce Starr, Dr.
William and Lois Hedge, Rep. Martin T. and LaVell Rucker, and Pastor
Louis and Rev. Connie Monroe. In the past three years, previous
inductees have submitted their nominations and have chosen the two new
members.
As with previous inductees, Leechia Jones and Leo Blakley are familiar
names in the St. Joseph Community. Leechia Jones has worked at the
Family Guidance Center Help for the Home Front Outreach for thirty
years. Among her many awards is the Distinguished Leadership Award from
the National Association for Community Leadership and the 2008 MS
Champion from the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She has also served on
numerous boards and committees at the state and local level. In 1996,
she was chosen to be one of the torch bearers for the Summer Olympics.
Leo Blakley has devoted his life to serving St. Joseph students and
their families. He was the first black teacher, coach, building
administrator, and board member for the School District of St. Joseph.
He was elected to serve as Vice-President of the School District of St.
Joseph from 2002 to 2004 and as President from 2004 to 2006. His
volunteer activities include working with such organizations as the
American Red Cross and the United Way of Greater St. Joseph. He has been
honored for his contributions to education by the St. Joseph Jaycees
with the “Outstanding Young Educator of 1971” award and by the Phi Delta
Kappa with their “Lifetime Achievement in Education” award.
The St. Joseph Museums, Inc.
[Web
Site]
3406 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 816-232-8471
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