First Church recognizes achievers

The Jeanerette community and First Church of God in Christ are celebrating the month of February in observance of Black History Month with a series of meaningful activities.

The theme, “Celebrating Our Historical Past and Present,” focuses on role model portrayals, children and youth drill team performances, poetry contests, musical renditions of Black History events, drama and health fairs.

The 2013 Pacesetter Awards were presented to five outstanding role models that had made noteworthy contributions to the school, the church and the community.

Among the pacesetters recognized were Celestine W. Wiles, Jeanerette Mayor Timothy de’Clouet, John B. Freeman Jr. of Lafayette, Claudia P. Maxey and Tina L. Suggs.

Wiles, a Realtor and resident of Jeanerette, is a board member of the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce.

She is a licensed insurance agent and real estate agent and is employed with Caffery Real Estate.

She opened and managed World Class Real estate, one of Jeanerette’s first black-owned real estate companies. She has assisted many low- income families become homeowners and consulted and assisted families save homes from foreclosure.

Wiles has served as an on-site constant for multiple investor, selling investment properties homes in multiple price brackets.

De’Clouet retired from Housing and Urban Development after 22 years of dedicated service. He was the first black to be elected alderman-at-large in the city of Jeanerette and served as the first black mayor in the city in 1995.

He worked as an administrative assistant for the Jeanerette City Marhsal’s Office.

He was elected as mayor of Jeanerette in July 2011.

De’Clouet, a student of Canal Street Elementary School and a graduate of Francis Marion Boley High School in Jeanerette received a degree from the University of Wisconsin in business administration. He is an honorable discharged veteran of the United States Air Force and United States Navy. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran.

Freeman, chief executive officer for Southern Development Foundation is a Lafayette native. He had an extensive career in information technology and was noted for inventing the remote test key for concentrator identifiers with BellSouth communications.

He servers as executive director of Zydeco Community Housing Development Organization, commissioner for Lafayette International Trade Development Group and Lafayette Public Housing Authority.

He serves as executive director for KOCZ 103.7 Radio Station in Opelousas and KIEE 88.3 FM in Lafayette/St. Martinville.

Suggs, a resident of New Orleans, is a lawyer and is a licensed with the American Scientists of Clinical Pathology and a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Suggs is a employed with State Farm Insurance Co., participating in trials, hearings, mediations and depositions to defend clients. She is a member of the House of Delegates for the 24th Judicial District Court, a member of the LSBA committee of the Professions and member of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board. She is a member of the Diversity Inclusion at State Farm and a pro bono and solace volunteer.

Maxey, a resident of New Iberia, is an academic counselor for the University of Phoenix, Baton Rouge.

She also served as trainer for Programs for Retraining Individuals through Mentoring and Education in New Iberia.

She is a graduate of Franklin Senior High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s from the University of Phoenix, Lafayette.

She is affiliated with the National Association of University Women, Ambassador and has served on numerous committees such as the Higher Education Leadership Committee, University of Phoenix Alumni Association, University of Phoenix Mentoring Program and Junior Achievement instructor.

Maxey has served as a volunteer for Stuff the Bus and Food Net Drive.