On Friday night, Dr. Carl Davis challenged members of the Natchez Business and Civic League to make education a priority in every family of Adams County, said league member Rita Winn.

During a speech to the league at its annual awards banquet, the superintendent of the Natchez-Adams School District said learning must be made a priority in every family.

Davis was the keynote speaker at the annual event that drew approximately 200 people to Tom and Geri’s on Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

The theme for the evening was &uot;Education is the Gateway to the Future.&uot;

Each year, the Natchez Business and Civic League presents several awards recognizing individual achievements in business and community activities.

This year’s winner of the G.F. West Man of the Year was Michael Winn Sr. of Winn Pharmacy. Named for Natchez’s first black alderman, George F. West, the award is given to the man in the community who has shown outstanding entrepreneurship in the past year.

Mary Ann Henderson, owner of Mary Magnolia Bed and Breakfast, received the Woman of the Year Award for the woman who has shown outstanding entrepreneurship in the past year.

The Willie S. Scott Civic Award went to Leola Harris for her involvement in not only coordinating the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally in 1999 but also for her continued community involvement in such projects as the Natchez Museum of Afro-American History and Culture.

The Youth Award was shared by two Natchez students.

Curtis Minor, a senior at Cathedral High School, and April Patton, a senior at Natchez High School, were both recognized for &uot;outstanding leadership and involvement not only in school but in the community,&uot; Winn said.

Two President’s Awards were presented by league president Harden Wallace – one to James Coleman and another to Rita Brooks. Both individuals were recognized by Wallace for their contribution to the community and their specific assistance to the Natchez Business and Civic League.

The Natchez Business and Civic League, originally known as the Negro Business League, has been in Natchez since 1924. Its purpose is to encourage minority business, civic pride and minority home ownership.