Assemblyman Wieckowski to Honor Local African American Leaders

Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski will recognize local African American leaders at the 2nd Annual African American Heritage Leadership Awards Ceremony this Sunday.

The ceremony will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the South Bay Community Church at 47385 Warm Springs Blvd. in Fremont and will honor those who have had a positive influence in the region.

“I am honoring four leaders from the 25th Assembly District whose leadership and community service stretch over decades and who continue to have a positive influence in our area today,” Wieckowski said in a prepared statement. “Each of these leaders has a strong commitment to education and helping families and children in their communities.”

Wieckowski will honor:

• Rev. Horacio Jones of the Family Bible Fellowship in Newark
• Jean Ficklin, founder of the Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society
• Rev. Jethroe Moore, president of the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP
• Will Ector, superintendent of the Berryessa Union School District

According to the assemblyman’s office, Ficklin was one of the first African American teachers in the Newark Unified School District. Ficklin helped create programs that celebrate diversity and social equality.

Jones, who started working with the ministry when he was 21, mentors pastors and church leaders on various subjects including the expansion of the ministry, according to Wieckowski’s office. 

Moore, in addition to working with the NAACP, has served as a co-chair of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet in Santa Clara County in the past, as well as on the Santa Clara Valley Water District Redistricting Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining the Berryessa Union School District, Ector worked in San Jose’s Evergreen School District for more than three decades as a teacher, principal and director of human resources.

For more information and to RSVP to the event, contact Wieckowski’s district office at 510-440-9030.