The 12 Disciples-12 Steps Ministry presented Black Excellence Awards to several “Living Legends” Saturday, Feb. 24 at Zion Hill Christian Fellowship.

Those honored include Pastor Francis Davis, Rev. Mary Bashay, Commander Fred Wesley, Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard, Judge Charles Porter and Sis. Carolyn Pierre. Each award was presented by an individual close to the honoree alongside a member of 12 Disciples-12 Steps who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.

The keynote speaker for the event, Dr. David Jones, sits on the board for the Iberia Comprehensive Clinic and received his doctorate in theology May 26, 2012. According to Lionell Morris, leader of 12 Disciples- 12 Steps, Jones found his passion to preach in 1996 before becoming ordained in 2000 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

“I want to say to all of you, congratulations, and I want you all to go strong into whatever you serve, whether it be the body of Christ or the community. I know you’ve given much and I don’t think people know what happens sometimes behind the scenes,” Jones said in his keynote address.

The presenter for the event, Betty Livingston Adams, who presented alongside her cousin Deborah Livingston Broussard, highlighted the importance of holding this event by emphasizing the ongoing change for Iberia Parish and the Black community throughout the event.

“As a community and as a people, we are standing at an intersection in time. We are the nexus, the connector of the past and the future. It’s up to us whether this is a time for retreat, or a time for renewal. And based upon the living legends we have before us today, we are following that model towards renewal and not retreat,” Adams said.

The first honoree was M. Larry Richard presented by Judge Roger Hamilton. Hamilton has known Richard for over 20 years, and in that time they grew close. Over all their time as friends, one conversation stands out for Hamilton.

“After Mr. Richard fought his sickness, he showed the courage of the man that he is and the fabric that he’s made of. He’s shared many stories, but that story has moved me, and it shows that someone can go through that great of a challenge and still be here today willing to serve,” Hamilton said.

Richard was diagnosed with Leukemia Feb. 28, 2023, which he said was one of the hardest things he’s ever had in his life. While on his way to Mandeville, he received a phone call urgently advising Richard to go directly to the emergency room to confirm the diagnosis. His white blood cell count was over 25,000, much greater than the typical danger zone. But he never let the illness keep him down, and he rededicated himself to working for Iberia Parish.

“One thing I realized from being sick is God wants me to share my work,” Richard said.

The Second honoree was Commander Fred Wesley of the VFW Post 1265 presented by former Louisiana state VFW commander Don Reber. Although a busy man, Reber was happy to honor Wesley, especially as the first Black VFW commander in Louisiana.

“Pat Wesley called me up this weekend and said I’d really like you to come do something for me, and I said, ‘I’m really busy’, but she told me it was for honoring Fred, and I said, ‘I’m not so busy.’ Commander Fred Wesley and I were destined to be friends all the way from the beginning,” Reder said.

Commander Wesley returned to New Iberia in 1991, and he noticed how much life had changed for kids in the city. They didn’t have anything to do so their world was rather sad. So Wesley decided to do something about it. Every Saturday, he’d pick up kids from around the area and help them exhaust their energy and find change. This evolved further when he became involved with Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and he developed a program to assist kids through a survival experience, which had kids camping out near the church every Friday and Saturday, then on Sunday, he would march them to the church.

“You never know what you’re gonna do in life or what your service is going to be. The only thing to do is stay focused and stay with it,” Wesley said.

Rev. Mary Bashay received her award, presented by Pastor T.J. Andrus of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Rev. Bashay has always had a dedication to God and a passion for helping the youth. She has worked as a Christian educator for many years. After 36 years, Bashay retired. However she returned to the school system to teach and support students with limited English. For her work, Bashay has received several teaching awards, both local and national.

The event continued in much the same fashion honoring Pastor Francis Davis, Judge Charles Porter and Sister Carolyn Pierre with brief music intercessions in between. Finally, City Councilman Marlon Lewis presented Tori Robertson a Key to the City.