By Emma Longwell, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
The City of Apopka has officially declared February as Black History Month, reaffirming its commitment to recognizing the contributions of African Americans both nationally and locally. During a special proclamation ceremony at the February 19th City Council meeting, Mayor Bryan Nelson highlighted the importance of celebrating Black leaders who have played a crucial role in shaping the Apopka community.
“I, Brian Nelson, Mayor of the City of Apopka, by the virtue vested in me, to hereby proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month here in the city of Apopka," he read.
The proclamation aligns with the national theme for 2025, “African Americans and Labor,” which acknowledges the contributions of Black workers in shaping the country’s economy, culture, and progress. Apopka’s celebration will focus on recognizing local pioneers, ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations.
As part of the month-long recognition, the city will host its third annual “Celebrating Apopka Legends” event on Tuesday, February 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Apopka Community Center. The event will highlight 28 new honorees who have made a lasting impact on the community.
The Apopka Youth Council, a group of local students, has played a significant role in this effort, working alongside local historian Francina Boykin to research and document the lives of Black community figures in Apopka. Their work has resulted in the creation of a special booklet honoring these individuals, which will be available for purchase at the event.
"Apopka Youth Council began this project shortly after our very first meeting five months ago. We would like to thank Miss Francina Boykin for being our guide throughout the entire selection process as well as reviewing all of our submittals. She was our mentor through this process," stated Olivia Hodge, a member of the Apopka Youth Council.
The “Legends of Apopka” project began in 2022 as an initiative to recognize Black residents who have shaped the city’s history. The first volume of the booklet was published in 2023, featuring 28 influential individuals. The second edition was released in 2024, adding 29 new names.
“They worked really hard on collaborating on this booklet along with Miss Francina Boykin," said Stephen Cribb, who works on special projects for the City.
With the third edition set to debut in 2025, proceeds from the booklet sales will continue to support the Apopka Museum expansion fund, following last year’s donation from book sales.
The “Celebrating Apopka Legends” event will include a proclamation read by Nelson, music by Mark Ahern-Wright and Wekiva High School, and a reading from Volume Three of the “Celebrating Apopka Legends” booklet. The booklet will be available for purchase for $10 (cash only) at the event.
This celebration represents an opportunity for the Apopka community to come together, reflect on its history, and honor those who have helped shape the city. Through these initiatives, the city aims to ensure that the contributions of Black leaders remain a lasting part of Apopka’s legacy.
As Apopka continues its tradition of honoring Black history, the Celebrating Apopka Legends event serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions made by local African American leaders. Through the dedication of the Apopka Youth Council and the support of the community, these stories are preserved for future generations. With the release of the third volume of the commemorative booklet, the city reaffirms its commitment to recognizing those who have shaped its past and continue to inspire its future.
