BY MORGAN RYAN

The City of DeLand celebrated Black History Month by honoring local African American citizens who have served their community.

The ceremony, held at the DeLand City Commission meeting on Feb. 17, honored 16 community members who were selected by the Greater Union Life Center for their hard work and dedication to the city of DeLand.

The Greater Union Life Center was founded in 2002 by Greater Union First Baptist Church to foster growth on the economic and educational level in DeLand, according to their Facebook page.

In addition to the ceremony, banners with the honorees’ faces and accomplishments were placed along Woodland Boulevard in Downtown DeLand for the entirety of Black History Month.

“The Greater Union Life Center felt the need in the community to showcase prominent Black figures during Black History Month to educate, inform and inspire all who walk or drive through Downtown DeLand,” Mayor Chris Cloudman said in the city’s Black History Month proclamation.

Some of the honorees include educators, police officers and firefighters, pastors and artists who have served the DeLand community through their work.

— The Beacon will highlight each individual honoree in the following editions.