TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - It's Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the day the last state abolished slavery back in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
WTXL spoke with one of three Tallahasseans being honored for their work as trailblazing black Americans.
"Honestly, I can say, I probably haven't done anything out of the norm of what others have done," said Pastor Rudolph Ferguson, Sr. "The thing that I've done is use the church and the DREAMS Center to mend the lives of those who are less fortunate or still trying to find their way out of a rough environment."
Making a difference while remaining humble. That's why Pastor Rudolph Ferguson, Sr. is receiving recognition alongside Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Dr. Andrea Friall this Juneteenth.
"I never did this for an award or to be honored, but simply to make families lives in the community better," said Ferguson.
And that's why Pastor Ferguson opened the DREAMS Center, short for Determined to Reach Excellence and Motivated to Succeed.
The center is a part of his non profit the Frontline Project, that works to address issues plaguing the Frenchtown and Griffin Heights communities.
"We get to learn and do experiments," said Jasani President, a student. "We get to learn a lot."
Inspiring the next mathemtician or scientist, kids are spending their summer having fun while also learning. And an added bonus: the program is free for parents.
"They love it. The kids are in a safe environment. The kids are in a safe place and more importantly, they're having a good time. They're learning and enjoying," said Ferguson. "They have the free lunch, the free breakfast, they have it all here because at the DREAMS Center, it's the palce to be. It's the resource center that our young people need."
Resources that are making those kids the next black trailblazers.
That celebration kicks off Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Tallahassee Community College Student Union Ballroom.
