Savannah Reams
editor@greenepublishing.com
As we celebrate the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. this week, it's important to reflect on those who followed in his footsteps and dedicated their lives to the advancement of freedom, justice, equality and human rights for African Americans in the United States, including Madison County.
Madison native David Dukes sacrificed much during the civil rights movement of the sixties. In 1963, at the age of seventeen, he led the civil rights movement in his hometown, doing voter registration work, conducting training seminars and leading sit-ins at restaurants and recreational facilities. Due to his involvement, he was subjected to harassment, intimidation, chased at high rates of speed, arrested and even disowned by relatives. Moreover, Dukes' life was constantly threatened and, in 1965, he was forced to leave Madison.
The civil rights activist returned to his hometown in 1993, setting up an after school program for youth in Madison County. The program promoted academic excellence and assisted in the reduction of teen pregnancy, drug abuse, criminal behavior and violence in the community. In 2010, Dukes published the book "A Journey Back Home" detailing his lifetime of work for equality.
Dukes is married to Bennellia, from the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. They have six children: three boys and three girls. He is the founder and CEO of the Johnson-Brinson Project, Inc.; former chairperson of the Madison County Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Coalition; former Vice President of the Madison County Juvenile Justice Council; former Executive Board Member of Three Rivers Legal Services, in Gainesville, Fla.; and the CBS This Morning Hero of the Day, Dec. 5, 1995. Dukes received the Secretary Harry K. Singletary, Jr., Department of Corrections Third Annual Crime Prevention Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Citizens of Florida in the Development and Support of Crime Prevention Initiatives in the Black Community, in April, 1995; Florida State University Center of Civic Education and Service Heart of Gold Award, 1999 & 2001; Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend, 'Champion for Children Award 1999'; Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition of Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Madison, Fla. Community, November, 1999, by Congressman F. Allen Boyd; and the Award of Excellence presented by the City of Madison Police Department for his commitment to providing continuing education, counseling, mentoring and leadership to the at-risk youth of Madison County in May of 2001.