Black trailblazers in a variety of fields, including politics, justice, education and outdoor recreation, were honored Aug. 1 at the Maine Black Excellence Awards at Caswell Farm in Gray. The annual gathering is the signature event of the Portland-based nonprofit The Third Place, which connects Maine’s Black professionals, students and entrepreneurs to social, professional and economic opportunities.
“When our board of advisors considers honorees, we look for a powerful mix of trailblazers and quiet stewards, people who are first to walk through the door, foundation builders, cultural keepers and emerging voices,” said Executive Director Adilah Muhammad. “When we say ‘Black excellence’ — which can be a charged term — we don’t mean perfection or elitism. We mean work that is distinguished by its capacity to bring people in and to build something greater than the individual.”
The honorees included Bates College President Garry W. Jenkins, who in 2023 became the first Black person to lead the liberal arts college in Lewiston.
“It’s essential that we stand up and reaffirm that difference and inclusion are not threats to excellence but are the very foundation of excellence,” Jenkins said. “Our democracy and institutions succeed when everyone has a seat at the table and has the support and encouragement to shine brightly. Excellence isn’t borne from individual brilliance alone but comes from mutual respect and places where everyone feels empowered to bring their best, to connect and to share their ideas.”
The other honorees were:
• Caswell Farm & Wedding Barn owner Catherine Caswell, who has hosted the Black Excellence awards all five years.
• Maine State Rep. Deqa Dhalac (District 120), who, as mayor of South Portland from 2021 to 2022 was the first African-born female mayor in the nation.
• Outdoors equity advocate Kareem Dieng, director of outdoor education of Camp Beech Cliff on Mount Desert Island.
• Florence Edwards, a dentist, visual artist and podcaster who founded Fourth Friday, an inclusive BIPOC happy hour.
• Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition Executive Director Joseph Jackson, a strong advocate for incarcerated individuals and their families.
• Safiya Khalid, co-founder and executive director of Community Organizing Alliance and a former Lewiston City Council member.
In addition, ally awards were presented to Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, represented by Executive Director Sue Roche, and Androscoggin Bank, represented by Chief Executive Officer Neil Kiely.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Aug. 7 to correct the name of the college where Garry W. Jenkins is president.
Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at amyparadysz@gmail.com.
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