Longview Announces 2017 Unity Honorees

The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee has announced Mrs. Evalonia Barrett-Bolton and Judge William K. “Bill” Stoudt as the 2017 Unity Honors Recipients. The Unity Honors is a life time achievement award that pays homage to individuals in the community who have demonstrated leadership in the promotion of harmony, understanding, and social justice.

Mrs. Evalonia Barrett-Bolton is originally from Orange, Texas. Upon graduating from Wiley College, she moved to Longview where is met and married her late husband Patrick Bolton. Mrs. Bolton served on the Wiley College Board of Trustees and continues to be diligent in her giving and encouraging young people of all colors to attend Wiley. Mrs. Bolton organized the Longview chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction in 1983.  She also served as the President, Top Teens of America Advisor and numerous other positions.  Evalonia has been recognized for her work with Top Ladies of Distinction and Top Teens of America locally, regionally and nationally. Evalonia has been an educator (music) for over 50 years, and continues to be a beacon of light for our youth as well as their parents.

Evalonia is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delton Kappa Gamma, Longview Pan-Hellenic Council and several other organizations. She has also served on the Longview Symphony Board, Longview Beautification Association and numerous other community non-profit organizations. She has also been recognized as a Star over Longview and received the MLK Humanitarian Award.

Judge William K. “Bill” Stoudt. has worked diligently throughout the years to bring people together to work for a common cause. Judge Stoudt is currently in this 4th term as Gregg County Judge He has been described as a “humble servant” and the “genesis of many service initiatives in the community.”  He is a founder of the Boys and Girls Club of East Texas and is the proud recipient of the 2016 Champion of Youth award. Judge Stoudt presently serves as a Trustee of the Centurion Club and is an Advisory Director of the Junior League of Longview.

As a member of Rotary, he was named “2013 Citizen of the Year.”  The East Texas Council of Governments honored Judge Stoudt as the “2014 Statesman of the Year.” He has brought various segments of the community together to work from the cultural arts to the business sector to humanitarian initiatives.  In 2016, Judge Stoudt was appointed by Governor of Texas Greg Abbott to serve as Chairman of the State Commission on Jail Standards.

Judge Stoudt has a motto:  “It is amazing what you can accomplish when no one is trying to take the credit”.

Two Special Recognition Awards will be presented to Habitat for Humanity of Longview and MyView.  Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity partners with low income families to build safe, decent and affordable home in Longview. LaJuan Hollis serves as the Executive Director. MyView is an interview series that highlights individuals of and from the great city of Longview who are doing positive and inspiring things. Creative and Executive Producer, Simeon Whitten, and Co-producer, Ricardo Buchanan, are fulfilling MyView’s mission to show pride in the beautiful city of Longview and to present new positive possibilities to the upcoming generations.

Ms. Anissa Center, KLTV Anchor, will emcee the Unity Honors Luncheon on Wednesday, February 22 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Maude Cobb Convention Center located at 100 Grande Blvd., Longview, TX.  Lunch will be catered by Divine Catering. Tickets will go on sale December 7th   for $15 and can be purchased at Partners in Prevention, 140 E. Tyler St, #400; Divine Catering, 1310 S. Mobberly Ave.; Barron’s Bookstore, 405 W.

Loop 281, Longview ISD Administration Office, 1301 E. Young St; and Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St.  No tickets will be available on the day of the luncheon. The Unity and Diversity Committee (formerly known as Race Relations) was established in 1995 and is sponsored by the City of Longview Partners in Prevention. For more information please call the Partners in Prevention office at 903-237-1019 or visit www.longviewtexas.gov.