Individuals, groups honored for community work
YoLanda Davis, who has worked for more than 20 years to help children succeed, was named Monday as the winner of the Paul Lee Stevens Humanitarian of the Year Award.
The honor was among seven awards given during the 2025 Human Relations Awards, held Monday at the Darden Alumni Center. The awards typically are given in February, but this year’s ceremony was delayed by winter weather two weeks ago.
The Humanitarian of the Year award is usually seen as a “lifetime achievement” award, said Katrina Carmon, a member of the Wilson Human Relations Commission.
The committee wanted to honor Ms. Davis primarily for her work as co-founder of Dee’s House, a nonprofit organization that provides free educational opportunities for families. The program is named after her son, Derrick, who died at the age of 26 in 2007.
One of the nomination letters said, “I cannot convey the full level of challenges Dee’s House has helped others overcome and the tremendous positive impact it has had in the community.” Ms. Carmon said.
Another letter said, “it is impossible to sum up the greatness of this woman in a single letter. She has bravely and beautifully dedicated her life to every child that walks through the door.”
Ms. Davis has also served as president of the local NAACP, mentored youth through the American Legion, volunteered with Wilson Preparatory Academy, and co-founder of the Human Justice Coalition.
Other nominees for the award were Matyre Knight, a teacher for 40 years and now an active volunteer as a tutor and community activist, and Dr. Sarah Hardy, the founder of the Big Sisters and Big Brothers Club of Five Points.
Other Humanitarian Awards announced Monday were:
Community Service Award, Adults – Denning Mitchell, who volunteers with Total Impact Ministries and Sallie B Howard School of the Arts. Other nominees were Tamala Fuller and Johnnie Chestnut.
Community Service Award, Groups – Wilson Community Outreach, which works to gather school supplies for children who might not be able to afford them. Hope Station was also nominated.
Community Service Award, Youth – Eli Kicklighter, who volunteers with the Rock Ridge 4-H Club, summer camps and Springfield Middle School. Other nominees were Kennedy Beal, Zach Beal, Dawson Carnes, Giovannie Desimone, Roy Henderson, Zachary Hill, Jacob Sutter and Mattison Thorne.
The banquet included, for the first time, awards presented by the Wilson Committee for Persons With Disabilities. Those honors were:
Educator of the Year -- Sharon High Jones, an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Fike High School. Sharon Huneycutt, principal at Jones Elementary was also nominated for the award.
Advocate of the Year – Jackson Robol, who hosts a podcast regarding autism where he talks about life’s challenges and interviews a wide variety of people.
Employer of the Year – R&L Carriers. Marshall’s of Wilson and Piggly Wiggly of Wilson were also nominated.
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