Latest news with #localheroes
Forbes
01-08-2025
- General
- Forbes
How Richard Blake's Local Leadership Forged A Generational Legacy.
When we think about leading figures within the Black American community, we often go to figures such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Reverend Al Sharpton. While these icons rightfully have their place and recognition on a national stage, we tend to overlook local icons and heroes who are and have been tangibly building up resilient and prosperous Black communities. They are the principals who mentor our children, the public servants who ensure our neighborhoods thrive, and the community pillars who build institutions through sheer will and steadfast dedication. For the small town of Cocoa nestled in the heart of the Space Coast in Florida, Richard 'Dick' Blake was a larger-than-life hero who broke barriers while keeping the door open for others to walk through easily! Blake, who passed away this past June at the age of 91, was a proud beacon of progress in his community for over half a century. His life and work as a trailblazing educator, coach, and the longest-serving councilman in his city's history offer more than just a local story; it is a powerful blueprint for how true, lasting change is forged. The Educator as an Agent of Change Brevard County, Florida, like many counties in the South, maintained segregated schools for Black and white students. This 'separate but equal' doctrine was established in the Supreme Court Case Plessy v. Ferguson. Mr. Blake's start in education came after graduation from Florida A&M University, where he taught and coached in Brevard County. In 1955, he served as an educator and coach at Monroe High School, a school dedicated to educating the Black youth in Brevard County during segregation. From the beginning, Blake knew his responsibility extended far beyond administrative and coaching duties. It was his responsibility to lead the charge in creating equitable opportunity for Black students and the youth of Brevard County as a whole. His work and excellence at Monroe High School did not go unnoticed. In 1966, Blake was called to embark on a challenge that would change the course of history on the Space Coast: becoming the first Black Principal in Brevard County at the newly integrated Cocoa High School. Mr. Blake used his position and influence to champion excellence and higher education amongst his pupils, leveraging his advanced degrees from Columbia University and Florida A&M to inspire countless students to pursue their academic ambitions. In 2018, Cocoa High School honored Blake for his servant leadership by naming the Richard "Dick" Blake Stadium. This wasn't just a gesture of gratitude; it was an acknowledgment that he had built the very foundation upon which thousands of futures were launched. Building a Generational Dynasty of Service The most impressive aspect of Richard Blake's legacy is its generational nature. His commitment to civil rights and public service started in the home. Blake was born in 1933 in Bonaventure, a small community just south of Rockledge, Florida, to migrant workers. His father, Virgil, was the first Black American to serve on a major advisory board in the area. In 1976, Blake began his political career by being voted in as City Councilman of Rockledge, a position he held for four decades until he retired in 2016. He remains the longest-serving Council Member in Rockledge's history. In recognition of his years of leadership as Council Chairman, he was designated Chairman Emeritus in 2014. In his time as city councilman, he also served on the boards of Wuesthoff Hospital and the Child Care Association of Brevard County, outlining a key principle to his success: that true influence is woven into the fabric of your community. The health, safety, and well-being of his constituents were the ultimate benchmark and metrics of the success of his leadership. Mr. Blake did not just attend council meetings; he helped build lasting institutions. The legacy of Virgil and Richard Blake has now been passed down to a third generation. His son Michael Blake currently serves as the Mayor of Cocoa, continuing the family's commitment to the community. This succession is not a coincidence; it is the result of a lifetime of demonstrated values. Richard Blake didn't just teach servant leadership; he embodied it and created a family legacy that is now synonymous with public service in Brevard County. The Blake Blueprint: Lessons for Today's Leaders As we reflect on the life of Richard Blake, his career offers critical lessons for the Forbes BLK audience: Richard Blake may not have been a Silicon Valley CEO, a nationally known governor, or a Wall Street Titan, but he was a master architect of human potential. The life of Richard 'Dick' Blake reminds us that the most enduring legacies are often built quietly, consistently, and with a profound love for the people you serve.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Firefighters in Arnprior help kids cool off
Ottawa Watch Some kids in Arnprior got to cool off with the help of local firefighters and their fire truck.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Schoolboys are 'heroes' after canoe trip rescue
A group of quick-thinking students have been hailed as "heroes" after saving a man's life while on a school canoeing trip. The six students, from Claires Court School, in Maidenhead, were on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition near Wallingford on 30 June when they heard a call for help from a capsized canoeist. Two members of the group assisted the man, keeping his head above the water, whilst others communicated the situation to nearby support staff. In a statement following the rescue, the school praised the boys for their "courage and quick thinking" and described them as "local heroes". The "dramatic rescue" unfolded after the group of Year Nine students heard shouts from the canoeist who had drifted "perilously beneath a raised jetty", the school said. James Wragg, head of outdoor education at the independent school, said the boys "immediately rushed to his [the canoeist's] aid" and radioed teaching staff nearby. The school said the two boys first on the scene "demonstrated incredible composure under pressure" as they helped the man cling to the jetty. The also fashioned a makeshift stirrup - allowing him to keep his head above water. Having arrived at the incident, teaching staff supervising the Duke of Edinburgh trip were then able to pull the man from the water and asses his condition. The rescued man revealed he had been stranded in the water for 25 minutes, whilst his foot was trapped under his boat. "Luckily, our boys arrived just in time and no doubt saved his life," Mr Wragg said. All the students involved, along with the rest of the participants, successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition - which the school said was a "testament to their resilience and the values instilled by the programme". Those involved in the rescue, including four students who made staff aware of the incident and shared details, were all separately given outstanding achievement awards by the school. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Claires Court School
BBC News
06-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Maidenhead schoolboys are 'heroes' after canoe trip rescue
A group of quick-thinking students have been hailed as "heroes" after saving a man's life while on a school canoeing six students, from Claires Court School, in Maidenhead, were on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition near Wallingford on 30 June when they heard a call for help from a capsized members of the group assisted the man, keeping his head above the water, whilst others communicated the situation to nearby support a statement following the rescue, the school praised the boys for their "courage and quick thinking" and described them as "local heroes". The "dramatic rescue" unfolded after the group of Year Nine students heard shouts from the canoeist who had drifted "perilously beneath a raised jetty", the school Wragg, head of outdoor education at the independent school, said the boys "immediately rushed to his [the canoeist's] aid" and radioed teaching staff nearby. 'Saved his life' The school said the two boys first on the scene "demonstrated incredible composure under pressure" as they helped the man cling to the also fashioned a makeshift stirrup - allowing him to keep his head above arrived at the incident, teaching staff supervising the Duke of Edinburgh trip were then able to pull the man from the water and asses his rescued man revealed he had been stranded in the water for 25 minutes, whilst his foot was trapped under his boat."Luckily, our boys arrived just in time and no doubt saved his life," Mr Wragg the students involved, along with the rest of the participants, successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition - which the school said was a "testament to their resilience and the values instilled by the programme".Those involved in the rescue, including four students who made staff aware of the incident and shared details, were all separately given outstanding achievement awards by the school. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The astonishing story of the first Lions tour Down Under: A captain who drowned halfway through, 55 games in 249 days, 120 dead kangaroos and hares, six weeks on a boat with stoats and weasels ...and what it shows best about rugby
At the Campbells Hill Cemetery in the Australian town of West Maitland, 25 miles inland from the New South Wales coastline, there lies a grave which stands out from those which surround it. The magnificent marble structure is fenced by pristine, white-painted railings. Its excellence might lead you to think it pays homage to the life of one of the area's local heroes – a former politician perhaps, or maybe even a member of the armed forces.
