The award winners Saturday evening included a longtime pastor, a military veteran, a boxer and others who have made strides to educate, lead and share messages of love for neighbors and the community.

Brown said the award winners “wouldn’t be the ones recognized if it wasn’t for the fact that they care.”

The Rev. Paul Johnson, 76, is one such caring individual.

Johnson, who received the Legacy of Leadership Award, has spent a lifetime advocating for civil rights, bridging differences and reaching out to everyone in need.

Gala chairperson Harriett Gaston (left) and Blair County NAACP president Tracy N. Brown present Ronata Johnson the Legacy of Leadership Award for her father, the Rev. Paul Johnson, during the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

He grew up in Altoona, served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-71 during the Vietnam War and saw combat for nine months.

Johnson was honorably discharged as a sergeant and returned to Altoona, where he eventually enrolled in the Altoona Bible Institute, became licensed to preach and took on the pulpit at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Then he did something extraordinary.

Johnson took out a loan and bought a bar in his neighborhood, turning it into the Eighteenth Street Community Church.

Harriett Gaston, gala chairperson, has been “very impressed” with Johnson’s accomplishments.

Unsung Hero Recognition award winner Jeremiah Witherspoon speaks as gala chairperson Harriett Gaston listens during the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

While he was unable to attend the gala due to health issues, Johnson is “very, very proud” to be recognized, said his daughter, Ronata Johnson, who said she was “honored and privileged” to accept the award on his behalf.

“My father is big into community and always has been,” Ronata Johnson said. “He likes to be in whatever he can be.”

While involved with the local congregation, Gaston said Pastor Johnson was the Celebrate Diversity! program facilitator as well as the co-founder of the African American Heritage Project and the Blair County Firebase Eagle Vietnam Veteran Group.

Johnson, who suffers from a hereditary kidney disease, received two kidney donations, which propels his organ donor advocacy movement.

Although he retired from his spiritual leadership position in 2018, he remains a minister and continues his support of the religious community.

Master of ceremonies Rev. Nate Germany (left) talks with keynote speaker Dr. Ron Darbeau, Penn State Altoona chancellor and dean, prior to the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Grandson Braedyn Johnson, 16, who attended the gala in honor of Johnson, said he’s happy to have his grandfather in his life.

The gala, held at the Discovery Center in downtown Altoona, featured remarks by Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor of Penn State Altoona, along with poetry readings and a catered meal.

Social media and emails were used to collect nominations for the awards, Gaston said, noting that she wanted to honor unrecognized people who are helping the community.

Legacy of Valor Award

The Legacy of Valor Award recognizes an individual who makes an impact through their service in the military.

Gala chairperson Harriett Gaston (left) presents the President’s Award to Shaped By Faith Initiative of the Central PA Episcopal Diocese representatives (from left) Olin Mittan, Marilyn Pyeatt and Greg Williams during the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

As an Altoona native, Daniel W. Hogans, 90, enlisted with the airborne paratroopers during the 1950s. He trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He was later stationed in West Germany, where he served with the 11th Airborne Division training German and native paratroopers. He also participated in NATO maneuvers.

Hogans was involved with the military for 30 years.

After coming home, he became a member of the National Guard and worked at New Enterprise Stone & Lime, the post office and most notably the Amtran Bus Service and Conrail.

After a lifetime of public service dedication, Hogans said he retired at age 72.

Cultural Stewardship Award winner Carolyn Kline (left) talks with her daughter, Olivia Kline, prior to the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Being married “for years” and now having grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Hogans said he’s happy with his life.

“I think it’s great” to be honored with this award, he said.

Cultural Stewardship Award

Those selected for the Cultural Stewardship Award preserve African American history and heritage.

Carolyn Kline, 57, an educator at Altoona Area High School, grew up in Hastings, where as a child she pretended to be a teacher to her younger sister, using a blackboard to teach math lessons.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher, so that has been my only career,” she said.

Her parents stressed the importance of education, integrity and community involvement at a young age, she said, leading her to study at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The Altoona Area School District hired Kline 35 years ago after she graduated from college. Since then, she has taught almost every social studies class in the district at both the junior and high school level.

In 2022, she volunteered to teach an African American history course after an individual approached the school board about the subject. Kline continues to offer it today.

Two years later, her students collaborated with Gaston to develop an Underground Railroad exhibit, which is currently on display on the second floor of the Baker Mansion Museum.

Students in her class learned the history of slavery and then developed interactive turn tile activities that display the question on one side and the answer on the other, Gaston said.

“I value diversity and believe that it is important to always continue to grow and be open to new ideas,” Kline said. “As a teacher, we should be lifelong learners ourselves.”

Unsung Hero Recognition

Honorees in the Unsung Hero Recognition category demonstrate leadership qualities that start from the ground up, making impactful contributions through their work.

Jeremiah Witherspoon, 44, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, but later moved to Altoona to be closer to family. He then began a professional boxing career in 2010 after learning the skill from his mentor, John Robertson.

After surviving a hit-and-run accident, Witherspoon returned to boxing in 2015 and later opened his own boxing gym called Scorchin’ Boxing.

There, he developed a mentoring group, Leaders of Tomorrow, for young boxers who want to be a part of the boxing community.

He said he aims to redirect people’s state of mind in a “positive place.”

“We’re all fighters,” he said. “We got our own ring, we got our own situation, and boxing helps us become aware of yourself.”

Meanwhile, he has been an advocate for community outreach by providing free Thanksgiving turkeys each year with American Rescue Workers and Courtesy Motors. He has also created back-to-school backpacks for students in need.

He has hosted fashion shows and comedy nights to raise money for his business while bringing the community together.

Witherspoon said receiving the award doesn’t make him feel like a hero, but that he’s “doing my job on the planet.”

“I’ll be doing whatever God called me to do,” he said.

His uncle, Donald E. Witherspoon, served an influential 20 years as the NAACP Blair County branch president. Witherspoon said receiving the award made him feel like he’s following in his uncle’s footsteps.

President’s Award

Organizations that reflect the mission and value of the Blair NAACP are awarded the President’s Award.

This year, the Shaped By Faith Initiative of the Central PA Episcopal Diocese was recognized by the branch.

Shaped By Faith is a combined effort between Episcopal churches in the region, such as Holy Trinity in Hollidaysburg and St. Luke’s in Altoona. In 2024, they developed a racial recognition program alongside the Blair County NAACP, leading to the first and second Juneteenth celebrations held in Altoona.

The proceeds went toward the restoration of the Eastern Light Cemetery, a property that was established in 1864 after Black residents were turned away from being buried in an all-white cemetery.

Together, Shaped By Faith and the NAACP Blair County branch planted 45 native trees, repaired fencing and collected 1,000 pounds of plastic to recycle into a memorial bench at the Eastern Light Cemetery.

Group members Olin Mittan, Greg Williams and Marilyn Pyeatt accepted the award Saturday night.

Mittan said he was “blown away” after receiving the news, stating that the award will help get the organization’s name out into the community.

With this award, Mittan hopes the Episcopal churches become known as an “open and inclusive” space.

Williams said the award has inspired the group to “keep on keeping on,” as they look forward to continuing their Juneteenth celebration into next year.

Make a stronger community

Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, English professor at Penn State Altoona, received the President’s Award in 2011. Saturday, she was invited to the gala to share her poetry.

Wesley appreciates that the awards are given “to all kinds of people” regardless of race.

She said it’s important to recognize “those who are working hard to bring to types of justice, equity and women’s issues.”

“When the weakest part of the community rises up, the whole community rises,” said Blair County NAACP secretary Daryle Walton.

The gala’s award ceremony shows people who “put forth the effort in the community, and I think that’s very important because we all want to make our community stronger,” Wesley said.

Like his father, Daryle Walton Jr. said these awards show “who you really are.”

Unsung Hero Recognition award winner Jeremiah Witherspoon (left) is greeted by Blair County NAACP president Tracy N. Brown prior to the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Gala chairperson Harriett Gaston sings the NAACP anthem during the Blair County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala at the Heritage Discovery Center in Altoona on Saturday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski