NAACP honors longtime educators, retired park superintendent for community activism

GIFFORD — Leaders with the Indian River County NAACP recently recognized two veteran instructors, along with the retired county park superintendent, for their longtime commitments in revitalizing the community. The accolades were given during the organization’s 31st Freedom Fund Gala, held in April at the Gifford Community Center. 

Retired teachers and social justice advocates Venda Rhea Burgess and Robert L. Temple received the Victor Hart Sr. Community Service Award. Burgess taught for 40 years, while Temple taught for 34 years in the School District of Indian River County. 

“I’m always happy to give back to the community. That has been my main objective throughout my life,” said Temple, who previously served as vice-president for the Indian River County NAACP. “Coming up, the community gave me so much. They say it takes a village to raise a child. That’s what happened with me.”

The award is named after Victor Hart Sr. – a former, longtime president of the local NAACP.  Hart advocated for the improvement of infrastructures in Gifford, along with clean water and paved streets. The NAACP gives the honor to those who exemplify Hart’s example of service to Gifford, Indian River County and Florida.

“(Burgess and Temple) were chosen for their unparalleled and unacknowledged legacy of service to our children, students and community,” said Tony Brown, who has served as president of the Indian River County NAACP chapter for 17 years. Both Burgess and Temple are life members of the NAACP.  

Brad Dewson, a retired superintendent for the county’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, was honored with the Unsung Hero Award for efforts to help build Hosie Shumann Park, which is listed as a Florida Heritage site. 

Dewson designed the basketball court to represent the Gifford High School Tigers, including the tiger logo. The 2-acre park, located at 1760 39th Street, is located on the original site of Gifford High School.

“(Dewson) is someone who went above and beyond to do good,” Brown said. “Through the county commission, leaders and (Dewson), it will forever be the Hosie Shumann Park. The Indian River County NAACP Branch is honored to present its first Unsung Hero Award to Mr. Brad Dewson with appreciation for your dedication and compassionate service.”

The award presentations were among many defining moments that organizers say captured the essence of the NAACP event. 

The annual gala and fundraiser, which had the theme “We wrestle not, struggling forward together,” featured a lesson on the history of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization founded in February 1909. The program included a message of unity, brought by keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Rhonda Thomas, executive director of Faith in Florida – a multicultural, statewide religious organization formed to protect the rights of citizens and strengthen democracy.  

Attendees sang a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – often referred to as The Black National Anthem – performed by the Gifford Youth Orchestra. 

Willie Mitchell, a sophomore at Vero Beach High School, recited the poem “I, Too,” by internationally-recognized American poet and activist Langston Hughes. Tyjah Warner, a junior at Vero High, read the poem “America Listen” by Orlando-based poet and social justice advocate Valada Flewellyn.

Hughes, who received the NAACP’s Spingarn Award in 1960, was a member of the civil-rights organization throughout his lifetime. Flewellyn is also a member of the NAACP.      

Protecting human and civil rights both globally and locally, remains a critical mission for the NAACP. Representatives from the Indian River County branch said they wanted to pay tribute to those who dedicated themselves to the community.   

Brown said Burgess and Temple have left a lasting imprint in Indian River County, in and out of the classroom. 

Temple said being recognized for his civic engagement was a great feeling. The seasoned educator is a board member for St. Peter’s Preparatory Academy and the county’s Retired Educators Association.

Temple is also a member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Committee, a longtime minister of music at Mt. Zion AME Church in Gifford and a deacon at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church.

Burgess, a Florida A&M graduate, served as assistant coach for the Gifford High School Lady Tigers and led the team to win several girls’ basketball championships in southeast Florida, according to NAACP officials. Burgess also helped provide afterschool workshops for Black students and parents, led youth to participate in Gifford clean up sessions and steered students to advocate for Black history to be taught at Vero Beach High School.