LEGACY EVENTS
Started in 2022, Columbia Peace & Justice Initiative’s annual Legacy Event brings together the community to celebrate the lives and work of African Americans who have impacted the Columbia and Maury County communities.
2025 Legacy Event Honoring Barbara Dobbins
The 2020 Legacy event will honor Barbara Dobbins who touched countless lives during her 38-year career in education. Her journey led her from working in cotton fields at age eight to assist with school expenses to completing a bachelor’s degree in three years and ultimately serving as vice principal at Whitthorne Middle School. Her professional honors include being named Teacher of the Year and the Tennessee Education Association’s Susan B. Anthony Award as State Principal of the Year. She was the first woman elected president of the Maury County NAACP and served in leadership roles with Maury County Education Association, Columbia Housing Authority and other civic boards.
CPJI will also honor the following present-day African American female educators and invite them to participate in a panel discussion:
Shanda Sparrow-Lang, Principal, Columbia Central High School
Dedra Dawson, Principal, H.O. Porter School
Renata Powell, Principal, Spring Hill Middle School
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE 2025 LEGACY EVENT
When: September 30 at 6 p.m.
Where: Maury Hills Church
101 Unity Drive in Columbia
Tickets are free but limited.
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS →
BECOME A SPONSOR
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Legacy Event Chair Russ Adcox at russ@mauryhills.com.
CELEBRATING A LEGACY
The 2024 Legacy event honored Fred Gray, a trailblazing attorney and lifelong advocate for civil rights. Community members and leaders gathered for an evening of powerful reflections and heartfelt tributes celebrating his enduring impact and legacy. Browse the gallery to see highlights from the event.
PAST LEGACY LUNCHEON HONOREES
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!
Columbia Power and Water Systems
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us now.