Lewes African American Heritage Commission Honors Three Community Leaders at 2026 Juneteenth Celebration
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission has named Charlotte King, Leonia Robinson, and Rev. George Edwards Sr. as the three recipients of its 2026 Community Appreciation and Recognition Awards. The honorees will be celebrated during the City of Lewes Juneteenth Celebration at George H.P. Smith Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 27.¹
About the African American Heritage Commission
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission was established by the Mayor and City Council on January 13, 2020. Its mission is to preserve the historical contributions of, and educate the public about, the African American community in Lewes, Delaware.² The commission meets on the third Thursday of each month at City Hall and is made up of five to nine members appointed by the Mayor and City Council.² Through panel discussions, documentaries, historical timelines, and a growing record of the area’s historic Black families, the African American Heritage Commission has become a leading steward of local history along the Delaware coast.²
The History of the Community Awards
Now in its fifth year, the commission’s Community Appreciation and Recognition Awards spotlight individuals who have worked to preserve and strengthen African American history and community life in Lewes.¹ Presenting the awards during the Juneteenth Celebration ties the recognition directly to a holiday that commemorates emancipation and the enduring legacy of African American resilience.
Meet the 2026 Recipients
This year’s honorees reflect decades of service. Leonia Robinson was a community activist, historian, and poet laureate of the Sunshine Circle Club until her passing in 2022.¹ Rev. George Edwards Sr. is a founding chair of the Lewes African American Heritage Commission and the co-founder and retired pastor of Friendship Baptist Church.¹
Spotlight on SDARJ Founder Charlotte King
Among this year’s honorees, Charlotte King stands out for her lasting impact on racial justice in southern Delaware. King is a founder and board member of the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice and a past president of the League of Women Voters of Delaware.¹ The organization she helped build, SDARJ, is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) that educates, informs, and advocates for racial justice, equality, and fair opportunity.³ Now marking its 10th anniversary, SDARJ runs programs ranging from its quarterly Black Voices magazine to student scholarships—including the Charlotte King Scholarship Program named in her honor.³
Sources
[1] CoastTV / WRDE — Nester, Jessica. “Lewes African American Heritage Commission announces community members honored at Juneteenth celebration.” June 18, 2026.
https://www.coasttv.com/news/lewes-african-american-heritage-commission-announces-community-members-honored-at-juneteenth-celebration/article_74f38737-f161-4702-bb5b-e0c4b172a71d.html
Used for: award recipients, event date and location, recipient biographies, fifth-year award detail, and Charlotte King’s SDARJ and League of Women Voters roles.
[2] City of Lewes — “African American Heritage Commission,” official city government page.
https://www.ci.lewes.de.us/274/African-American-Heritage-Commission
Used for: commission founding date (January 13, 2020), mission, meeting schedule, membership structure, and historical programming.
[3] Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) — Official website.
https://sdarj.org
Used for: SDARJ’s mission statement, 501(c)(3) status, 10th-anniversary milestone, Black Voices magazine, and the Charlotte King Scholarship Program.
