When the winner of the Hal and Bettye Thurmond Award spoke Thursday at the conclusion of the Human Rights Commission’s Unity Breakfast, it was remarkable to hear that Tishauna Douglas’ message aligned so closely with the theme of this year’s event — Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love.
The theme comes from a speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He said, during his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
Douglas, an educator and volunteer whose work supports children and schools, was unarmed and truthful about her life and what she wants to do for the community.
Here’s what Douglas told the audience of some 600 people at the James E. Bruce Convention Center:
“I am the single mother of three sons, and each of my sons have their own father. Yes, I have three baby daddies.
“Statistics state that one of my sons should be in prison. One should be strung out on drugs. And the other one should be selling drugs.
“My sons are now 27, 24 and 22, and I think they have turned out to be some pretty awesome people. … There are plenty of trying times … but this single boy momma had a village that would go above and beyond for the well-being of my three sons.
“That is my drive and my purpose in our city of Hopkinsville. Our youth need a village of people, organizations, agencies, etc., that will go above and beyond the calling of saving our youth.
“No one expected me or my sons to become everything. I have been asked to be many, many, many things in this city but everything that I accept revolves around my calling, my God-given purpose. Everything. Every role. Every position. I wear many hats. …
“My newest position, that I thank God for every morning, is districtwide Parent and Community Engagement Liaison for Christian County Public Schools.
“[Superintendent Chris] Bentzel has charged with me with getting the parents, families and community back into our schools, rebuilding the bonds, relationships, partnerships, friendships, that the global pandemic caused to fall off during the shutdown …
“I know we have parents and families here. We’ve definitely got all of the community here.
“The charge I leave with you today is just five words — community, family, parents, children and education. That’s the charge. I asked that you stay faithful to the process because it doesn’t happen overnight. … Thank you.”
The awards
Douglas received HRC’s signature award honoring the legacy of the late Hal and Bettye Thurmond, who were among the first white residents in Hopkinsville who advocated for racial equality. The Thurmonds were inducted posthumously into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2006, and their work was recalled during the local HRC’s 60th anniversary event earlier this year that focused on the late Louis P. McHenry, the civil rights attorney in Hopkinsville who led efforts to establish HRC.
The commission also presented the Volunteer of the Year award, Standard Award for Excellence and the Unity Award.
Mindy Hargrove, who owns two barbecue restaurants and a catering business, was named Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her support of several feeding programs in Hopkinsville.
Dr. Kevin Felton, retired professor at Hopkinsville Community College, received the Standard Award of Excellence, recognizing his many years as a mentor and organizer of community events.
Tab Brockman, who recently retired as Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation superintendent, received the Unity Award. He was recognized for “always going above and beyond to bring citizens of the community together,” said Raychel Farmer, HRC executive director.
Spotlight on youth
Four high school students — Edie Adams, Kylie Batts, Stephan Lovan Jr. and Annabel Nicholson — were featured in a panel discussion that I led on the Unity Breakfast theme.
My thanks go to Farmer for inviting me to moderate, and to the students who made my part easy.
A large choir comprised of children in the Men 2 Be mentoring program sang “Man in the Mirror,” the song by Michael Jackson. They were great. I could use an encore from the choir. Maybe we’ll see them again at other community events.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
