Civic Hall of Fame

2006

 

Carl W. Albright, Jr.
Carl Albright lived a life of meaning, commitment, and service - and excellence marked all of his endeavors. From home life to the workplace, from the church to the courtroom, from the chamber of commerce to the boy scouts, from giving to encouraging – Carl Albright’s impact and influence permeated his beloved community.

Born April 27, 1944 in Birmingham, Carl was reared in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from Tuscaloosa High School, the University of Alabama with a degree in aerospace engineering, and from the University of Alabama Law School with his juris doctorate.

An effective attorney, Carl earned his business reputation and influence as an outstanding banker, serving in various capacities with First National Bank of Tuscaloosa, rising to the office of president of AmSouth Bank. His impact in banking was also seen across the state as a strong leader in the Alabama Banker’s Association.

However, it was his model of civic responsibility and leadership in the economic arena that earned Carl community-wide respect. He served in virtually all of the key civic and community leadership roles during his lifetime, including serving as chairman or president of: Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, DCH foundation, Stillman College’s board of trustees and the Stillman Foundation, United Way, the Tuscaloosa Port Authority, the University of Alabama Law School Alumni Association and President’s Cabinet, Tuscaloosa Bar Association, and a host of other key roles.

His economic leadership was key to Tuscaloosa’s development during the 1980’s and 1990’s, as Tuscaloosa became a global economic leader. Carl’s strategic thinking, vision, and determination contributed directly to successes, such as JVC America, Tuscaloosa Steel (now Nucor) and of course, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. He also played an important role in the establishment of Tuscaloosa’s sister city partnership with Narashino City, Japan.

A compassionate leader, Carl Albright also left a legacy of service through many other community agencies and service organizations, such as family counseling services, Indian Rivers Mental Health Center, YMCA, boy scouts, and the American Heart Association. A dedicated and faithful leader of First Presbyterian Church, Carl was an elder and chairman of the board of deacons, and at the time of his death in 1997, he was providing essential leadership for the renovation of his beloved church.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Carl Albright promoted the public good in everything he did. He was a visionary, who strived for a better Tuscaloosa, a better Alabama and a better world for all citizens. He viewed his civic leadership as a calling and a responsibility to serve.

Frances Allison Alexander
Three characteristics of leadership rarely come together in one person. When these qualities are combined with passion, southern charm, and humor, and under-girded with a profound sense of love and service to others, the surrounding community will be changed forever.

The vision that initiates change – the determination that implements change – and the character that inspires change were all found in Frances Allison Alexander.

During her lifetime in Tuscaloosa, Fran Alexander was instrumental in a broad range of civic, educational and religious activities, all leading to a better life for those touched by her generous spirit.

Born January 23, 1923 in Columbia, South Carolina, Fran Alexander was a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. And from the time of her arrival in Tuscaloosa in 1966, with her beloved husband, Syd, Frances was an active, involved community servant.

Perhaps her most visible legacy is CHOM - the Children’s Hands on Museum. As a founding member of CHOM, along with friends Helene Hibbard, Jane Ingram, and others, Frances was at the leadership center and anchored a driving core of believers in children’s education and enrichment to make CHOM a reality. She served on CHOM’s board until her untimely death in September of 2003.

Founded in 1986, the touch of Fran Alexander can be felt through CHOM, enriching the lives of thousands of children every year through the largest museum and educational center for children in West Alabama,

But that wasn’t the sum of her contributions as a community servant. A longtime teacher, Fran worked just as hard after retirement, putting in 20 years as a tutor at Alberta Elementary School and giving her time to numerous civic, service and religious initiatives.

Her vision and drive was evident in the lives of children. Fran was an early volunteer through the medical alliance and adopt-a-school program, and she saw the need for expanding new boundaries and encouraging retired teachers, business people and others to volunteer, thus beginning the Alberta Pals Program, which has touched the lives of literally thousands of young people.

Another recipient of Fran Alexander’s talent for initiating big ideas and inspiring excellence was her work with the family of Christ Episcopal Church. Fran was a leader in the Episcopal Church women – an early leader in the Cursillo Lay Renewal Movement of the Episcopal church statewide, helping hundreds to grow in their faith. Fran also spearheaded the formation of senior ministries at Christ Church, touching people daily with her caring and giving spirit.

Fran Alexander’s tireless efforts resulted in many tangible, lasting contributions in a variety of civic, educational, and religious areas of our community. Perhaps even more significant were the qualities she demonstrated and encouraged as a mentor and role model to a generation of young community leaders – the qualities of ethics and morals in decision making – the basic principles of justice and always doing what is right, fair and good.

Fran Alexander left a legacy for many women and a new generation of community servants, teaching others to lead with grace and humanity. She made life better for everyone she touched and for all of us.

Chester A. Fredd, Sr.
Commitment can be displayed in a full range of matters to include the work hours you choose to maintain, how you work to improve your abilities, or what you do for others at personal sacrifice. If this is true, then Chester A. Fredd, Sr. certainly was a man of commitment.

Dedicated – determined – hard working – and a believer in every young mind, Chester Fredd was born on January 26, 1906 in Sawyerville, Alabama. He achieved his early education in Hale County schools, attending a one room school during his elementary years, and later attending Stephens Memorial School in Greensboro, where his father was the principal. He
Received his B.S. and masters degrees from Alabama State University, and later did his doctoral studies at Fisk University and New York University, receiving his doctorate from Selma University.

Dr. Fredd immersed himself into his career and into the lives of young people, believing that in every child there was a hero ready to be discovered. Throughout the region, Dr. Fredd emphasized the importance of having educational programs accessible, designed and available to meet the needs of every student, to be sure that no child was ever left behind.

Throughout his life and career, the thread of service to others was evident. A model of dedication and hard work, Dr. Fredd was often the first to arrive for work and the last to leave, modeling to others the importance of giving an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.

A humble man, C. A. Fredd was recognized and honored on numerous occasions for his service to others and educational leadership. He was the recipient of Alabama State University’s Centennial Anniversary Award; Alabama A&M University’s award for Outstanding Service in Public Education; and a host of other education and civic honors.

During his tenure at C. A. Fredd State Technical College, later named in his honor, Dr. Fredd not only served as president, but he would go into the neighboring counties to encourage young people to seek education beyond high school. He mentored, supported, and even would provide any financial assistance possible to make sure that students in need would have the opportunity to live a productive life.

C. A. Fredd was a builder in everything that he did and impacted lives in so many diverse ways, serving in a variety of community, service and religious leadership roles during his distinguished career, which included active leadership in the Alabama State Teachers Association, Alabama Retired Teachers Association, Alabama Leadership Study Council, Alabama Baptist State Convention, Benjamin Barnes branch of the YMCA, Black Warrior council of boy scouts, Tuscaloosa Citizens for Action, board of trustees of Selma University, West Alabama Planning and Development Council, West Alabama Mental Health Association, and a host of other service roles.

C. A. Fredd also impacted the moral and spiritual lives of people as a pastor, with a total of 45 years of service, serving his last 34 years as pastor of the Greater 14th Street Baptist Church in Bessemer, building the church from a one room, concrete block building to one of the area’s most dynamic and successful congregations.

It has been said that “he who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times.” And that is a fitting description of C. A. Fredd. He touched many lives, especially the young people of our area, instilling the desire to seek excellence and live productive, moral lives. And his legacy of service lives on today.

Doris Leapard
Rogers and Hammerstein wrote a show stopper for their hit musical, “South Pacific”. It was “There Is Nothing Like a Dame”. Now, they didn’t write that song for Doris Leapard, but they might have, for it suited her to a ‘T’.

Doris Hurst Leapard was born in Middletown, NJ, May 3rd , 1919 and grew up near New York City. From the beginning, she was gifted and in love with the arts and theatre, selling candy on the streets to raise money for theatre trips. Her early experiences became a constant motivating force to give people in smaller communities the same chance to experience the arts as big city dwellers. Add that to her passion for children’s arts education, and an activist was born.

Doris came to Tuscaloosa after World War II from a home, education, and musical career in New York, where she had graduated cum laude with a music degree from New York University, and had even worked for a time as a secretary at NBC in New York. A war bride who felt a bit out of place in the deep south, she worked hard to make a place for herself and Leapards interiors, which she and her husband, Bill, opened on University Boulevard, becoming a fixture for design trends, fine antiques, and stimulating conversation.

An accomplished pianist and singer, Doris used her gifts to establish a link to the community through the arts. When a national council on the arts was being formed in Washington, DC, she decided to press PARA to spearhead the formation of an arts council in Tuscaloosa, which was achieved in 1970. Doris ran the Arts Council as a volunteer for years until a director was eventually employed.

The Tuscaloosa Community Singers are another arts organization that owes its birth to Doris Leapard. Beginning in 1966 with fifteen singers, she and Dr. Fred Prentice built one of our community’s special musical treasures that is still inspiring audiences today.

In the segregated lifestyle of the 1960s, Doris displayed her character and courage to lead in making music education available to young black children through the Tuscaloosa city schools as well as at Christ Episcopal Church, where she brought together white and black children’s choirs. It was typical Doris Leapard, paving the way for progress and new opportunities for all people to experience the arts.

Perhaps her defining moment occurred in 1977 when Doris played the title role in theater Tuscaloosa’s summer show production of ‘Mame’. Profits from the show bought stage lights for the Bama Theatre and began its transformation from a movie house to a multi-purpose performing arts center. It was her passion, determination and untiring efforts that lit the fire of invention under the community to rebuild the Bama Theatre.

When substance abuse began to threaten our young people, Doris was not one to sit idly by. Instead, she acted, forming the Tuscaloosa chapter of PRIDE, which stands for Parent’s Resource Institute for Drug Education. In another venue, she played a key role in supporting the West Alabama Humane Society, showing her activist heart for a diverse needs.

No community is the work of one person, but inevitably at the heart of any movement beats one indomitable spirit. As much as anyone, Doris Leapard has been a driving force for the arts, not only enriching the lives of theatre, music, dance, and visual arts lovers, but establishing a legacy for future growth, livability, harmony and quality.

Jerry Belk
Jerry Belk cares to the core and has proved it over and over, spending most of his adult life making Tuscaloosa County a better place for all of us to live. In the process, he has become one of our most dedicated and accomplished public servants and one of its most quietly effective citizen leaders.

Jerry Belk was born December 10, 1932 in Tuscaloosa. He is a graduate of Tuscaloosa High School, earned his B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Alabama. After serving in the U.S. army as an infantry platoon leader, he returned to teach and coach at Holt High School.

While at Holt High School, Jerry raised the level of expectations of the school and the community to improve both education and athletics, always taking an active interest in the lives of the students. He was their mentor, their counselor, and an encouraging friend.

Jerry then turned to his attention to developing a modest recreation effort and transforming it into a county-wide parks and recreation program, known today as PARA. The Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority now serves thousands of citizens and continues to expand its facilities, park lands, recreational programs, and services.

Jerry will be the first to tell you that he didn’t do it by himself, that he was blessed to work alongside dedicated volunteers, citizens, and elected officials. But Jerry Belk and PARA are synonymous in the minds of most citizens in Tuscaloosa County, which is natural considering Jerry’s leadership of PARA for well over 30 years before his retirement in the late 1990’s. PARA honored him by naming the Jerry Belk Activity Center at Bowers Park in his honor.

But there is so much more to the servant-leadership of Jerry Belk; for he is a true humanitarian. Over his life of service, Jerry has quietly gone about working for the needs of the physically and mentally disadvantaged, youth, seniors, black and white, needy, and advantaged. Perhaps as much as any one citizen, Jerry has worked tirelessly to build positive race relations in our community. He has been a unifier, earning respect and trust through his consistent efforts to build bridges for all citizens.

While it’s difficult to separate Jerry from his noteworthy career in public service through PARA, you can also measure his impact as a private citizen through a wide array of civic, service and professional leadership roles.

Jerry Belk has provided distinguished and effective leadership through the Tuscaloosa Public Library Board, Tuscaloosa County Department of Human Resources Board, Salvation Army, Tuscaloosa County Heart Association, Veteran’s Memorial Park Board, First Baptist Church, American Legion baseball, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, serving his 5th term as chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame.

He is a past president of the Exchange Club, the Alabama Recreation and Parks Society, Alabama Recreation and Parks Association, “A” Club Alumni Association of the University of Alabama, and a host of other civic and service organizations.

Jerry Belk isn’t a passive citizen. He is a catalyst and pro-active leader, always willing to reach out and lift someone up or take on a challenge. He is a shining example of how one person can improve the quality of a community and at the same time influence the hearts and lives of men and women to become better citizens.

J. Barry Mason
In addition to an exceptional academic, community, and professional record of service and leadership, one has to look behind the scenes to appreciate the quiet, highly effective impact and influence of Dr. J. Barry Mason. For this is a citizen that does not seek the spotlight, but simply serves to achieve and create excellence.

Born in Memphis, TN on March 24, 1941, J. Barry Mason has built an incredible record in academics, scholarship, and professional and community leadership. He earned his B.S. degree from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, and his M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Alabama.

His academic career has been exceptional, spanning more than 30 years, including service as a professor and teacher, department head, dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, and interim president of the University of Alabama.

His scholarship and research is nationally known and recognized for excellence, receiving virtually every major award available from the University of Alabama and marketing and management institutes and organizations. Among these are: one of the top 100 marketing scholars in America over the past twenty years – Academy of Marketing Science Educator of the Year – Alabama National Alumni Association Outstanding Commitment to Teaching – Algernon Sydney Sullivan award – and many, many others. In 1998, he was recognized by the American Marketing Association for his ‘uncommon leadership’ that resulted in turning around the 40,000 plus member national association.

However, look behind the scenes and the headlines and you will see the handprint of Barry Mason. His effective leadership in helping to save a failing General Motors plant in Tuscaloosa took Tuscaloosa to national prominence and literally opened the doors to the automotive industry. Because of his effective leadership, Tuscaloosa is a major player in the automotive industry today. Dr. Mason provided unsurpassed leadership for Tuscaloosa in the recruitment and development of key employers, such as JVC America and Mercedes Benz U.S. International.

He is a co-founder of the Alabama Productivity Center; and while serving as interim president of the University of Alabama, he led the economic revitalization of ‘The Strip,’ the creation of the “Healthy Campus” initiative and expanded enrollment at the University.

Throughout his years in community service, Dr. Mason has contributed to a diverse number of key organizations and quality of life initiatives. His leadership at PARA provided strategic, new directions for urban and rural recreational programs and expanded emphasis for the arts and parks.

In the world of health care, there are very few that have made such significant, lasting contributions as Barry Mason. Serving with great distinction on the DCH health system board, including chairman since 2000, Barry Mason has directly influenced the quality, effectiveness and advancement of our region’s world-class health delivery system.

Dr. Mason has served in a variety of key leadership roles that have directly influenced the quality of our community. He is a past president of the Black Warrior Council of the boy scouts, past chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, past president of Challenge 21, and continues to serve a wide array of civic, professional, and service organizations.

A true servant-leader, Barry Mason is a model of integrity, excellence, and dedication to what’s right. You may not always see him in the spotlight, but quietly and effectively, he has changed and influenced many lives and the quality of our community.

Charles Steele, Jr.
A civil rights leader – public servant – fervent advocate for justice and fairness – a visionary always pushing for “a new day and a new way” - Charles Steele has made his mark on the very fabric of the Tuscaloosa County community, Alabama and the nation.

Charles Steele, Jr. was born in Tuscaloosa on August 3, 1946. A graduate of Druid City High School, he received his bachelor’s degree from American International University at Paramaribo, Suriname. He also hold honorary degrees from Stillman College, Bozeman School of Ministry, and Global Evangelical College of Louisiana and American University.

For many years, Charles has been co-owner, with his brother Danny, of the Van-Hoose & Steele Funeral Home and also serves as president of the Steele Group consulting irm. Today, he serves as national president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, co-founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Grounded in the early days of the civil rights movement in Tuscaloosa, Charles has passionately served as a public servant and elected leader in Tuscaloosa County since 1985. Following change to a mayor-council form of government, Charles was elected to the Tuscaloosa city council, where he served two terms, and was one of the first of two African Americans to serve in this capacity. In 1994, Charles was elected to the Alabama State Senate, the first African American to serve in this capacity, and was subsequently elected to two additional terms.

Over the years as an elected public servant, Charles Steele has been relentless in efforts to improve economic opportunities, the quality of life and livability for his constituents. Using his constituency as a pulse to direct action and influence public policy, Charles Steele has maintained a common touch and sense of fairness.

His vision and efforts have been translated into progress and tangible economic development projects in West Alabama; - improved housing, including a first-time home buyer’s ownership program, one of the first in West Alabama; - increased support and funding for efforts to address drug issues, including the Bernice Washington Insight Center, partners for a drug free Tuscaloosa County, and Police Athletic League; - as well as active leadership in a host of community and service agencies and initiatives in West Alabama.

During his third term in the Alabama Senate, Charles was called on to serve as national vice president of the SCLC. In November, 2004, following his resignation from the Alabama State Senate, he was named president and CEO of SCLC, and began immediately to revitalize, redirect, and rebuild the organization.

Today, through Charles's passionate, innovative leadership, the SCLC is experiencing a rebirth and is expanding to a more global organization under his leadership. He is forging new multi-cultural partnerships.

A man of vision, vigor and passion, Charles Steele not only believes in fairness and justice for all people, he lives it. Perhaps controversial at times, Charles Steele has made a lasting impact on his community, his state, and now, his nation.