The MLK Committee is proud to honor three Trailblazers at the upcoming MLK Commemorative Service, January 18, 2026 3:00 pm to be held at Mt. Zion CME Church. This year’s recipients are Elena Black, Johnnye Kennon and Stepfret Williams, Sr. honoring their legacy and commitment to Education and Community Service.
ELENA BLACK
The MLK Committee is proud to honor Elena Black with the Trailblazer Award in Education, celebrating a lifetime of service, leadership, and deep love for children and community.
A lifelong resident of Minden, Louisiana, Elena Black was raised by the late C.L. and Byretha Hamilton, who taught her the values of faith, family, and hard work—values she has lived out every day of her life.
She devoted more than 40 years to education, serving 14 years as a teacher and over 19 years as a principal, shaping generations of students right here at home.
Her journey began during a challenging time in our nation’s history. Growing up during segregation and forced integration, Mrs. Black was one of only a few Black students at Lowe Junior High. Those experiences were not easy—but they were formative. Instead of discouraging her, they strengthened her resolve to ensure that every child felt seen, valued, and capable of success.
A 1973 graduate of Minden High School, Mrs. Black went on to earn her degrees from Louisiana Tech University, inspired by her mentor, Truvesta Johnson. While she once dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, education became her true calling. She taught home economics and math before stepping into leadership roles at Webster Parish Alternative School and later Webster Junior High, where she served until retirement. Her belief was simple but powerful: all children can learn when given opportunity and care—a belief that earned her numerous honors, including Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year.
And retirement? That didn’t slow her down. At St. Rest Baptist Church, Mrs. Black led the SMILE program, serving up to 80 children each summer through academics, arts, health education, and mentorship. After one year of retirement, she felt called back—substituting, mentoring, and teaching wherever she was needed. As she often says, learning is a lifelong partnership.
At the heart of her life is family. She is the proud mother of Tanika Black, who is an RN and LPC, and Nina Hamilton-Hardman, who is the Chief Human Resources Officer of the David Raines Community Health Centers, and the joyful grandmother of seven grandchildren, her greatest blessing.
Elena Black is the definition of a trailblazer—quiet strength, steady leadership, and a life rooted in service. Her legacy lives on in every student she encouraged, every teacher she mentored, and every child who found their way because she helped light the path.
Please join us in celebrating Elena Black, a true Trailblazer in Education.
JOHNNYE KENNON
Johnnye Kennon is a dedicated community leader from Minden, Louisiana, known for her long-standing civic involvement and leadership in both education and local development. She has served as the elected representative for District 10 on the Webster Parish School Board, where she has held leadership roles including Board President, helping guide governance, policy decisions, and resource stewardship for the parish’s public schools. In this role, Kennon has participated in key board actions that support teacher compensation initiatives, school facility improvements, and student programming across Webster Parish.
Beyond the school board, Kennon contributes to the broader community through her work with the Webster Parish Convention & Visitors Commission, where she has served as Director of Community Affairs. In that capacity she’s supported tourism, local festivals, and grant programs that promote cultural events and economic vitality in Webster Parish—efforts that strengthen community identity and attract visitors to Minden and surrounding areas. Over the years she has helped report on and administer grants that support events like the Holiday Trail of Lights, music and festival programming, and local heritage celebrations.
Through her combined service in education and community affairs, Johnnye Kennon has become a respected advocate for students, families, and local organizations, reinforcing the connection between strong schools and a thriving community in Webster Parish.
STEPFRET WILLIAMS, SR.
Long-time Minden High School assistant football coach for 18 years, Stepfret Williams, Sr., was named head football coach for the 1992-93 football season, the first African American head coach of MHS.
Stepfret received his B.S. degree from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. He entered the Webster Parish School system in 1970 to serve as assistant football coach and teacher at his alma mater, Webster High School.
When the two schools consolidated during the 1974-75 school year, he transferred to Minden High School where he served as a teacher, assistant coach of the track team, MHS’ first tennis coach, assistant football coach, and Assistant Principal of Discipline. Girls track was started at MHS in 1979 and he was named the head girls track coach for the 1981-82 school year. His girls team won district championships in 1983, 1991, and 1992.
In addition to his service in the school system, Stepfret taught tennis for the city recreation department during the summer where hundreds of kids learned to play the game of tennis.
Stepfret’s philosophy of finding something you like and working hard to achieve success has been passed down to all three of his children, Stepfret, Jr., Stepfionne and Stepfon.
Please join us in celebrating our 2026 MLK Trailblazer Award Recipients Elena Black, Johnnye Kennon and Stepfret Williams, Sr.
