NAACP, Santa Ana Recognize Black Leaders

The NAACP and the city of Santa Ana honored nine members of Orange County’s African American community Friday night for their contributions in education, sports and other areas.

The African-American Citizen of Distinction Awards, now in their fourth year, are designed to recognize community contributions that organizers say are often overlooked in the mainstream media.

Receiving awards Friday were the Rev. Samuel Craig Jr., a former Marine who helped found the original Black History parade in Santa Ana and an assistant pastor at the Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana; Thomas Harmon, a student at Century High School in Santa Ana who was honored for his work both in the classroom and in athletics; and Aaron L. Lovejoy, a Santa Ana businessman who has been active in minority economic development issues.

Also honored were Judy Sampson, an outreach consultant at McFadden Intermediate School; Johnny L. Williams, an assistant principal at Santa Ana Valley High School; and Tiger Woods, a Western High School senior who golfs on the national circuit and was recognized at the awards ceremony as a “future leader.”

Honored posthumously was Josephine E. Lewis, a mother of four who died last August at the age of 48 after serving in many leadership positions with the NAACP.

Two organizations that also received awards were Interested Citizens Group of Orange County Inc., a community service organization that provides financial aid and support for black youth, senior citizens and other groups, and the Tri-County Bulletin, a weekly newspaper aimed at black readers in Orange County.

Friday night’s black-tie event was held at the Southwest Senior Center in Santa Ana.