PROGRAM HISTORY

The Renaissance Cultural Center, co-founded by Jim Austin and Tim Grace, Sr. with Gloria Austin as executive director, created the Living Legends Awards and Scholarship program in 1994 as an effort to give public appreciation and recognition to individuals who had dedicated their lives to serving their community. The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum took the helm of continuing the annual program in 2011, and in 2015 forged relationships with the Fort Worth Library, (Dr. Gleniece A. Robinson, Director) to preserve the document artifacts the museum had gathered regarding Living Legends Award recipients. Alpha Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Dr. Tara C. Reed, President); revamped and reinstated awarding scholarships at the Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legends Awards Program.

In 2017, the Beta Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was asked to facilitate the event in partnership with the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum for that year’s program held at the downtown Fort Worth Library.

The 2017 Living Legends honorees included:

Brother Dr. Robert T. McDaniel

Bishop Robert Sample

Mrs. Paulette Turner

Mrs. Gwen Barbee

Beginning in 2018, the Fort Worth Alphas took full control of the event and installed the first class of LegendsintheMaking , including Tarrant County Commissioner Devan Allen, Dr. Kelley Mills, Mr. Dante Williams and Mr. Jeremiah Anderson. That same year, the Beta Tau Lambda Charitable Foundation partnered with the Beta Tau Lambda Chapter to further support the awards program

Since 2017, the Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legends Awards has been held at Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus (Dr. Sean Madison, President), the Palmwood Event Center and The Petroleum Club. In 2019, the Legends After Dark Awards After Party was added to compliment the program and provide honorees an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments alongside their peers and loved ones. Program partners have included the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Tarrant County, Alpha Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Fort Worth Bridge and the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education.

Program

Mistress of Ceremonies- Brittney Johnson

Greetings Brittney Johnson

Invocation Bro. DK Hammond, BTL Chaplin

Musical Selection ‘Lift Every Voice’- Bro. Jock Lewis

Welcome/Occasion Bro. Frank J. Johnson, BTL Chapter Vice President Elect

Special Congratulations Hon. Mattie Parker, Mayor City of Fort Worth

Recognition of Elected Officials, Dignitaries and Past Honorees Brittney Johnson

2023 LIVING LEGENDS PRESENTATION

Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley (Health Education)

Dr. John L. Barnett, Jr. (Medicine and Philanthropy)

Dr. Arlene S. Barnett (Medicine and Philanthropy)

2023 LEGENDS IN THE MAKING PRESENTATION

Kandice Boutté (Government)

Ty Stimpson, Esq. (Law)

Crystal V. Brown (Health)

2023 SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Beta Tau Lambda Charitable Foundation Presentation presented by Bro. Jamal C. Williams, BTL Scholarship Committee Chair BTLCF Board Member

Ashanti Monique Memorial Scholarship presented by the Austin Family

BTL Chapter Recognitions presented by Bro. Adrian J. Gray, Esq. BTL Chapter President

Special Acknowledgements & Closing Remarks Bro. SaJade Miller, Living Legends Event Chair

Benediction Bro. Patrick Winfield, Pastor- The Potter’s House Fort Worth

June 16, 2023

Dear Honorees,

It is my pleasure to congratulate you on your outstanding stewardship and contributions in Fort Worth and throughout Tarrant County. Your excellent work as civic and community leaders deserves to be recognized at the 29th Annual Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legend Award Ceremony. I congratulate you on your achievements and thank you for your leadership.

The 2023 “Living Legends” and “Legends In The Making” honorees have proven to be an upstanding class of community icons. Your professions and projects are a great asset to the region and beyond.

Living Legends:

Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley (Health Education)

Dr. John and Dr. Arlene Barnett (Medicine and Philanthropy)

Legends In The Making:

Ty Stimpson, Esq. (Law)

Kandice Boutte (Government)

Crystal Brown (Health)

All of these honorees are pillars in our community. I commend your stellar advocacy, professionalism, and prioritization of service above self. Your impact is visible for the next generation of legends and will serve as a source of inspiration for all who follow in your footsteps.

Thank you for your continued efforts. I look forward to seeing what is to come and wish you further success.

Sincerely,

Mattie Parker Mayor

Greetings,

As Tarrant County Commissioner for Precinct One, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to the 29th Annual Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legend Award Ceremony.

The Beta Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in association with the Beta Tau Lambda Charitable Foundation (BTLCF) will honor outstanding civic and community leaders who have exemplified excellence in their chosen vocation and have provided great service to the community.

This year’s honorees include: Dr. Arlene Barnett, and Dr. John L. Barnett (Medicine & Philanthropy), and Dr. Barbara Odom Wesley (Health Education). In addition to the Living Legend honorees, three Legends in the Making (40 and under) will also be honored. Legend in the Making Honorees include: Ty Stimpson (Law), Kandice Boutte’ (Government), and Crystal Brown (Health).

I applaud those who provide a platform which showcases the immense wealth of talent and spirit of service that resides in Fort Worth, Texas and Tarrant County. Through their years of commitment, these individuals have rightly earned the designation of Living Legends.

Special plans are underway to offer participants a memorable experience. Best wishes for a very enjoyable and successful event.

May God continue to prosper the work of your hands.

Sincerely,

Roy Charles Brooks

Dear Honorees,

Congratulations on being recognized at the 29th Annual Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legends Award Ceremony. With this achievement, you join an esteemed class of Legends who have made significant contributions to the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and beyond.

As an honoree of the 2023 class of Living Legends and Legends in the making, you have exemplified excellence in your profession, passion for leadership, and a deep commitment to service - and for that, I say thank you.

I, hereby, recognize each of you for being an awardee at the 29th Annual Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legend Award - which is presented to Tarrant County residents who have exemplified excellence in their chosen vocation and provided great service to the community.

Living Legends

Dr. Barbara Odem-Wesley, Health Education

Dr. John Barnett Jr., Medicine and Philanthropy

Dr. Arlene Barnett, Medicine and Philanthropy

Legends in the Making

Ms. Kandice Boutte, Government

Mr. Ty Stimpson, Esq., Law

Mrs. Crystal Brown, Health

As a member of the Beta Tau Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I want to personally congratulate you on this honor.

It is with great pride that I commend each of you and encourage you to continue onward and upward!

Sincerely,

Jared Williams, PH.D.