By Emma Longwell, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
As part of the month-long recognition, the City of Apopka hosted its third annual “Celebrating Apopka Legends” event on Tuesday at the Apopka Community Center. The event highlighted 28 new honorees who have made a lasting impact on the community.
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.
Photo: Francina Boykin was appointed by Mayor Nelson as historian designee to find names of the late Apopka legends that were honored.
The Apopka Youth Council 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. 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 included a proclamation read by Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, music by Mark Ahern-Wright and Wekiva High School, and a reading from Volume Three of the “Celebrating Apopka Legends” booklet.
Photo: The Apopka High School Choir welcomed everyone with song as they started making their way in.
The celebration represented 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.
Photo: Proceeds from the booklet sales will continue to support the Apopka Museum expansion fund, following last year’s donation from book sales.
The City of Apopka officially declared February as Black History Month during a ceremony at the February 19th City Council meeting.
The proclamation aligned 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.
Photo: Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson presents at the Celebrating Apopka Legends event.
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Photos by Isabel LeCompte (@isasbel.lecompte), interning photographer for The Apopka Voice.
