Oyster Bay Resident Earns MLK Distinguished Service Award

From the Town of Oyster Bay:

January 31 2020

Oyster Bay, NY – Supervisor Joseph Saladino and his colleagues on the Oyster Bay Town Board recently presented the Town of Oyster Bay Martin Luther King Jr.’s Distinguished Service Awards to Carol Gordon of Massapequa and Denice Evans-Sheppard of Oyster Bay for their inspirational efforts to better the community.

“The Town’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to noteworthy recipients in recognition of their outstanding leadership and achievement, adherence to the principals of a just society and continued involvement in support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Our diversity is our strength and this prestigious recognition reflects upon the incredible leadership and courage of Martin Luther King Jr., and also on the local contributions being made every day in our community by extraordinary people.”

Denice Evans-Sheppard recently became the Executive Director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society with a goal to bring her love of history, through positive programs and events, to her hometown. She is a lifelong Oyster Bay resident, and her family has lived in Oyster Bay since 1795. Her great-great grandfather David Carll, purchased property in the hamlet before he joined the 26th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment as a Private in the Civil War. Denice still lives in his house today. In her capacity with the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Denice plans on developing comprehensive programs on black history that will ensure that everyone is included in this Town’s historic legacy.

Carol Gordon is longtime Massapequa resident and the Founder, President and Curator of Unspoken History Treasures, a private collection of over 35 years of African American Artifacts. Carol teaches African American History, giving a voice to the artifacts from our ancestors by telling of our rich history. The collection teaches you that "you have to know where you came from in order to know where you are going". Carol was also a Patient Advocate and Mental Health Clinic Manager and at the Department of Veterans Affairs and is currently the Vice President of the Breezy Point Civic Association in East Massapequa.

“The foundation for a healthy community is dependent upon the leadership of people like Carol and Denice,” Supervisor Saladino added. “These residents are exceedingly worthy of recognition because they are true role models who have set the gold standard for leadership and service.”

This press release was produced by the Town of Oyster Bay. The views expressed here are the author’s own.