Benard Simelton Sr.
ATHENS– The President of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP will deliver the keynote address as the Athens-Limestone Community Association, in partnership with the City of Athens, will kick off Black History Month 2020 with “Rise Together,” the ALCA’s 6th Annual Black History Celebration, 6 p.m., Feb. 1, 2020, at the Beasley Center of the First United Methodist Church of Athens.
Benard Simelton Sr., who also serves as a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, will speak about his local, statewide, and nationwide advocacy work, as well as the leadership experiences he has gained from his career and additional community service. The program will also feature performances from the Round Island Male Chorus, a meet and greet reception beginning at 5:30 p.m., and a presentation of historic photos from Athens and Limestone County black history.
Donations to the ALCA will be accepted, and copies of the book “Holding the Fort: A History of Trinity High School 1865-1970” will be available for purchase, with all proceeds benefitting the ALCA’s work to create the Fort Henderson Memorial and the Trinity History Center at the Trinity-Fort Henderson Complex.
ABOUT BENARD SIMELTON SR.
A native of Tiplersville, Miss., Simelton is a life member of the NAACP and has served as President of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP since Oct 2009. Prior to this, he served as President of the Limestone County Branch for six years after helping to reactivate the dormant branch in 2002. Since joining the NAACP in Alabama, he has twice received the Regional Medgar Evers Award for Leadership and received recognition from the Alabama State Conference for outstanding leadership of a branch.
He also received the Southeast Region Kelly M. Alexander Leadership Award. He was elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors in February 2018.
Simelton earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mississippi Valley State University, and his master’s in public administration from the University of North Dakota. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force and served honorable for 23 years retiring in 2000 at a Lieutenant Colonel. He received numerous Military Awards while serving on active duty including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
In addition to the NAACP, Simelton is a deacon of Indian Creek PB Church, board member of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, member of the Diversity Committee of the Red Cross of North Alabama, member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and Scoutmaster for Troop 947. He served on the Athens-Limestone Foundation Board of Directors for six years and is past President of the Board of Directors of the Community Action Partnership for Huntsville, Madison and Limestone Counties.
Simelton resides in Harvest, AL with his wife Elaine of 41 years.
ABOUT ALCA
Started in the 1970’s, the Athens-Limestone Community Association’s mission is to
create a connection between the history and the future of Athens and Limestone County
through quality programs and stimulating activities. The ALCA Board President is David Malone.
606 Trinity Circle • P.O. Box 1476 Athens, AL 35612
www.facebook.com/athenslimestonecommunityassociation
Media Release/ALCA/David Malone
