By Dhananji Rathnayake | Photos Mark Mattos
“When you get the opportunity to be at the table, you definitely want to be able to bring the spice. And you definitely want to make sure that you are a voice, and conscious of what you’re doing.”
– Darmita Wilson, Vice President, Northern Light
On August 9, the Fourth Annual Maine Black Excellence Awards took center stage at the Caswell Farm and Wedding Barn, a picturesque venue in the town of Gray that is a Black-owned business. The event, organized by The Third Place, brought together professionals, educators, and advocates to honor outstanding contributions to Maine’s Black cultural infrastructure. State Senator Craig Hickman (D-14, Kennebunk) was the evening’s special guest.
The gathering was a celebration of unity and achievement, set against the backdrop of a summer garden party. Held in an outdoor tent, the awards ceremony was followed by dinner and dancing in the restored barn. “I’m just honored to be in a room full of people, professionals, and educators that serve the BIPOC community in Maine,” said Catherine Caswell, the venue’s owner, encapsulating the spirit of the night.
The event opened with a cocktail hour, featuring a musical performance by cellist Danny Rand and the beats of DJ Mosart Nuñez. Bab’s Table catered the evening.
The awards, which were meticulously crafted by Ebenezer Akakpo, celebrated nine individuals whose work has significantly impacted Maine’s Black communities. The ceremony emphasized a “For Us, By Us” ethos, aiming to foster a sense of belonging, empowerment, and cultural representation.
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“The event celebrated the extraordinary individuals who are dedicated to cultivating a more inclusive and equitable community, enriching the social fabric of Maine for everyone,” said Adilah Muhammad, founder of The Third Place.
Honoring trailblazers
The Community Trailblazer Award was presented to 92-year-old Gerald E. Talbot, a lifelong advocate for racial equity and justice. Talbot, Maine’s first African American legislator, has been instrumental in shaping the state’s civil rights landscape. “I’m grateful to be recognized by a younger generation for doing work that came naturally,” Talbot said about his legacy.
Darmita G. Wilson, Vice President of Medical Education at Northern Light Health, received the Compass Career Award. Wilson’s 35-year career has been marked by her commitment to intersectional change, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare. “There is an old adage: ‘You can’t help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.’ That should be our daily mantra,” Wilson remarked, underscoring her philosophy of service.
Lisa P. Jones, founder of Black Travel Maine and Leisure Group Tech, was honored with the Business Builder Award for her significant contributions to Black businesses and communities. “Outdoor recreation projects expose Black and Brown people to this gorgeous state,” said Jones. “I’m excited to continue my work, making the outdoors accessible to everyone. My goal is for the next 12 months to focus on outdoor [recreation] for the underrepresented in that market, which is us.”
The Community Navigator Award went to Bob Greene, a distinguished journalist and historian deeply rooted in Maine’s Black history. “I’m so delighted to receive this award,” said Greene, acknowledging his role in enhancing connections within Maine’s Black community.
Accepting the Nicole Mokeme Place Maker Award for her advocacy for marginalized youth in the mental health field, poet and theater performer Nyamuon “Moon” Nguany-Machar remarked how honored she was to receive an award named after Mokeme, who died in 2022. “It’s a huge honor to be able to carry her legacy forward because she was so open, gracious, and giving of her life and her passions to something much larger than herself.” Moon said her own work contains both power and vulnerability. “As community leaders, even as advocates, with passion in everything, we are all human. And so as I give to you, please give back to me and check on me.”
Adilah Muhammad presents awards to: (l-r) Claudette Ndayınınaḥaze, Third Place Award; Amara Ifejl, Wayfinder Award; Lisa Jones, Business Builder Award
Amara Ifeji, the winner of the Wayfinder Award, is a 2020 graduate of Bangor High School, and is a National Geographic Young Explorer and a leader in climate justice, bridging environment, conflict, and gender studies to highlight the experiences of women in her Igbo community and across the African diaspora. “Through our voices and telling our stories,” she said, “we were able to effect change.” Ifeji is a Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Maine Environmental Education Association and also serves as a youth representative on the Maine Climate Council.
Gabriela Alcalde, Executive Director of the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, was honored with the Active Ally Award for her steadfast advocacy for equity and social justice. Alcalde has over 20 years of experience, and has led the Foundation since 2019 in fostering a culture of interconnected well-being for people, animals, and the environment in Maine.
The late Clifford “Kippy” Richardson, the first Black person elected to a municipal office in Portland, was posthumously honored with a Community Trailblazer Award. His granddaughter, Christina W. Richardson, accepted the award. “I never thought that I would be standing here giving this honor to him, 30 years after his death,” said Richardson. “It is truly an honor to represent our friends and family in this way. And even though I tried to forge my own path, I know that it is lit by the legacy that he blazed.”
Claudette Ndayininahaze, Co-Founder and Executive Director of In Her Presence and winner of The Third Place Award, leverages her extensive background in intercultural communication and her personal immigration journey to advocate for New Mainers. Her work empowers communities and drives impactful change. “We are transforming this community,” she said. “We need to work together to create positive change.”
The evening was a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and recognition. As The Third Place founder Adilah Muhammad remarked, “This is an opportunity to let people know who is doing what work and how to get involved. It’s also a gathering of folks having fun and standing up to say, ‘I see you, I recognize you, and how can I help?’ ”
