FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) – The Fort Wayne Chapter of the Indiana Black Expo is honoring the achievements of local African Americans during Black History Month and beyond. Fox 55 is partnering with the organization and also recognizing these people and organizations as Community Champs.
Volunteer and educator Marc Outlaw is one of the honorees. He has spent decades working in the Fort Wayne Community Schools district. As the principal of the Youth Life Skills Alternative High School Program, he works with individual students to keep them from dropping out. His dedication extends beyond the walls of the school.
“We deal with the whole child,” said Outlaw. “For instance last year we bought a group of students coats and bookbags. We feed them in the morning. We feed them in the afternoon and I can honestly say in January i wrote a check out of my own checkbook for $3,000 to make sure our babies are taken care of.”
Erma Gist is a Payroll Manager at Targeted Services PC, an accounting and bookkeeping business. She also works with youth and nonprofits volunteering her time with such organizations as the Girl Scouts of America, the NAACP and the Fort Wayne MLK Club, where she is the secretary.
“We put on the MLK Day celebration in January,” said Gist. “We also do a civil rights tour and then we do the Clergy Volunteer Breakfast in April and we also start working with youth in that capacity as well. So I help behind the scenes in those areas.”
Behind the scenes and in the pulpit, Tamyra Kelly has been the East Allen County Schools Public Information Officer since 2008. This community servant is also a seven-year breast cancer survivor whose life ignites her ministry at Greater Mount Ararat Baptist Church.
“My goal in life as I wake up in the morning and ask God to order my steps, is to help people win, whatever their win is,” said Kelly. “I encourage them that they can grow. They can be better people. My goal is when I leave an individual or group of people, that they’re better because I was there.”
For their work to improve the lives of others, the Fort Wayne Chapter of the Indiana Black Expo is honoring Tamyra Kelly, Erma Gist and Marc Outlaw as Unsung Heroes. Fox 55 is also calling them Community Champs.
The three will be among at least 15 honorees recognized at the Fort Wayne Indiana Black Expo’s Unsung Heroes Banquet, Saturday, March 9 at the Parkview Mirro Center. Click here for more information. Fox 55 is a media sponsor of the event.
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