The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center hosted its 3rd annual “I Tried” Community Recognition and Award Program on Friday, August 29 at a local event venue. The gala honored the life and legacy of the late Natchitoches businessman and civic leader, Ben D. Johnson Sr. and raised funds to support the educational facility named in his honor. Mr. Johnson was the owner of Winnfield Funeral Homes, Winnfield Insurance Company, and other businesses in Natchitoches and around the state. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Johnson was a leader in the Civil Rights movement and community betterment in the local area and throughout Louisiana.
In an era when the banking system was far from open to African-Americans, Mr. Johnson financed the building of numerous churches and businesses. His legacy of hard work, determination and community betterment is aptly carried on by the educational center that bears his name.
The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center provides life changing job readiness training, offering everything from GED completion to certifications in construction, food service, forklift operation and Six-Sigma quality control. Their Lagacy Café, staffed by students and utilizing produce grown in the center’s community garden, is one of the finest restaurants in the city. The Center also operates an emergency food and clothing bank for people facing hard times. The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center truly is a force for good in our community!
Over 100 community leaders and supporters of the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center enjoyed live Jazz and sampled the superb catering of the Center’s Legacy Café. The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center honored three community leaders at the banquet: Atty Cloyd Benjamin, First Assistant District Attorney, Ms. Rebecca Blankenbaker, Executive Director of the Cane River National Heritage Area and Ms. Connie Baker, Senior Director of Human Resources at Roy O. Martin.
