D.C. officials honor Darrell Green with key to the city
By J.Pamela Stills Special to the AFRO
Two-time Super Bowl champion
Darrell Green, with his family on hand, accepted a key to the city from Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Oct. 19.
Family, friends, well-wishers and representatives from the Washington Commanders organization gathered at Franklin Park to celebrate Green.
Green spent his entire football career with one team, playing 20 seasons for the Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders. He won the Walter Payton Man-ofthe-Year award in 1996 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in 2008. However, these accomplishments alone did not garner the recognition and award from the city.
“You get the key to the city because you’ve done a lot for the community,” said the Commanders’ limited partner, Mitchell Rales, in his speech at the celebration.
In her remarks, Mayor Bowser said Green “represents D.C. values … represents the D.C. spirit: scrappy, fast, underestimated and a champion.”
Before presenting Green with the key to the city, Bowser told the crowd she is stingy with the honor, bestowing it only a handful of times.
In ending her remarks, Mayor
Bowser told the crowd that even though the Commanders plan to retire Green’s jersey, no one can retire his spirit.
In his acceptance, Green acknowledged his family and the work he does with his wife, Jewell, to positively impact the D.C. community. Green told the crowd they all have a metaphorical piece of the “key” and he wants them to go out and serve.
Green was picked in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, then went on to play as a cornerback for the Washington NFL team for 20 seasons. Green played his last NFL game in 2002 at the age of 42 against the Dallas Cowboys. Green won the NFL’s Fastest Man competition four times and holds the league record for most consecutive seasons with an interception at 19.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Darrell Green (left), accepts the key to the city from Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Family, friends, fans and representatives from the Washington Commanders organization gather at Franklin Park to celebrate Darrell Green.
Holding his key to the city, Darrell Green implores attendees to better their communities in his acceptance speech on Oct. 19.
Washington Commanders fan Daryl Johnson witnesses NFL legend Darrell Green receive a key to the city from Mayor Muriel Bowser.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expounds on Green’s service to the community.
AFRO Photos/ J. Pamela Stills
AFRO News honors emergency service workers at annual ‘Unsung Heroes’ luncheon
By AFRO Staff
The AFRO celebrated the bravery and determination of the local emergency services community on Oct. 24. The event took place at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore.
Last year’s event highlighted the resilience of funeral home directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, 911 operators and dispatchers who work with the fire department in Baltimore were celebrated.
Honorees for the 2024 installment of the publication’s “Unsung Heroes” luncheon included Tenea Reddick, who began her career as a 911 operator and now serves as 911 director for the City of Baltimore; Victoria Cromwell, a former medic who now acts as lead specialist in the 911 center, dispatching calls for the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD); Clarence Spencer, who trains 911 specialists, laying a solid foundation for new emergency workers; Sharon Roy, a fire dispatcher of more than 25 years; Theodore Heinbuch, who is living his childhood dream of being a 911 dispatcher, and Shamonique Davis the “eye in the sky” when Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by a container ship and plunged into the Patapsco River.
“I think it is a great occasion anytime we can celebrate those who work behind the scenes and oftentimes aren’t in the front for people to see their contribution,” he said.
This year’s celebration was catered by Class Act Catering, and included a spoken word performance by Dikesha Robinson, the
The BCFD dispatcher provided crucial support for those immediately impacted by the collapse, as she provided emergency services on the fateful night of March 26.
“It was the hardest thing I think I’ve ever had to do as a first responder, but I rose above it, I conquered and I’m proud of myself,” said Davis, a 26 years old.
“I’m not used to getting awards for doing my job,” she said, moments after the ceremony. “It is an amazing and humbling experience to know that when it was time for me to do my job- when it really counted-I stepped up to the plate and I was able to do it in a professional manner. I was able to do something that my department could be proud of.”
According to the National Emergency Number Association “an estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year. From minor car accidents to the most dire life or death situations, those who answer the calls for help are the true definition of “grace under pressure.”
Chaplain Avery Thurman, a pump operator for BCFD, weighed in on the importance of holding an event specifically for those who get few opportunities to be in the spotlight.
“Butterfly Poet,” and a song selection by AFRO Managing Editor
“Hero,” by Mariah
Fire Chief James Wallace, who gave remarks during the luncheon, spoke with the AFRO after the ceremony, praising the crucial work of dispatchers.
“They work hard every day,” he said. “The thing about our dispatchers and 911 call takersthey are oftentimes faceless, but they are the first domino in public safety when it comes to an emergency. We rely very heavily on our call takers but also on our dispatchers to get us where we need to be.”
Capt. Sterling Bailey (left) and Avery Thurman join the AFRO and others in spotlighting 911 operators and dispatch workers.
Diane Hocker, AFRO News director of community and public relations, shares words of appreciation for the 2024 honorees.
Paul Novack, of the Baltimore City Fire Department, accepts the AFRO Unsung Heroes award on behalf of Theodore Heinbuch.
Lenora Howze, executive director and head of advertising for the AFRO American Newspapers, moves the annual program along as mistress of ceremonies.
AFRO News hosts a luncheon to honor the Unsung Heroes of Baltimore at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Oct. 24.
Alexis Taylor, AFRO managing editor, performs a song for luncheon attendees.
Raynette Givens (left) stands with Khaliah Yancey at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Oct. 24.
AFRO Photos / Stephen Hopkins
Alexis Taylor, who sang
Carey.
Honorees of AFRO News’ 2024 Unsung Heroes luncheon are recognized for their service at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore on Oct. 24. Shown here, Shamonique Davis; Sharon Roy; Victoria Cromwell; Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace; Tenea Reddick; Wayne Harris standing in for Clarence Spencer; and Paul Novack, standing in for Theodore Heinbuch.