In the heart of Baldwin County, nestled among the stories of distinguished alumni, the tale of Benjamin Lewis shines with a light as captivating as the journalism projects he led at Boddie High School. Graduating in 1961, Lewis's journey from the classrooms of segregation to the boardrooms of community service is a testament to the power of education, determination, and the indomitable spirit of giving back.
As a teenager, Lewis found himself amidst the tight-knit camaraderie of students and faculty at Boddie High, a time when society was marked by segregation. Reflecting on those days, Lewis warmly recalls, "The faculty put everything that they possessed into our education." It was here, under the guidance of Miss Rosa D. Lofton, that Lewis's passion for journalism was ignited. The project wasn't just an assignment; it was a mission. "We did not have a printing press. So all of this was done by hand," Lewis reminisced about creating 'The Flame,' a newspaper crafted entirely by the students' hands and hearts. This endeavor wasn't merely an educational task; it was a labor of love dedicated to the halls of Boddie High.
He also credits Ms. Avis Johnson for instilling in him the value of reading through assigned novels and book reports, Ms. Annie Thelma Monroe, who taught him drama, and Ms. Tressie Evans who taught him how to diagram a sentence. "Lastly, my mother, Mrs. Doris A. Simmons Lewis and my grandmother, Mrs. Annie D. Mosley, who both taught me independence, and respect for one's self as well as others," Lewis said.
"It was impressed upon us to always do your best in any endeavor that you undertake. Give it your all."
After his graduation in '61, Lewis joined the armed services before pursuing a higher education at Fort Valley State College, now University, where he majored in social work. His time in the military and at Fort Valley State was underpinned by a philosophy instilled in him at Boddie High: "It was impressed upon us to always do your best in any endeavor that you undertake. Give it your all," Lewis stated. This ethos carried him through his graduate work at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he studied clinical social work, and into a career dedicated to helping others, a virtue instilled in him at an early age through his work within the Greater Wesley Chapel AME Church.
Professionally, Lewis's journey took him from the Department of Family and Children Services in Detroit to becoming the director of a neighborhood program, before eventually returning to Georgia to care for a family member. This return home marked the beginning of a 34-year tenure at Central State Hospital, where he ascended from a clinical social worker to a unit administrator in the psychiatric department. But Lewis's impact extended beyond his professional roles; his passion for education led him to teach in evening programs and in prisons, helping others to find their path.
Lewis's deep involvement in the community, particularly through his work with Allied Arts, where he currently serves as the chair of the board, highlights his belief in the transformative power of the arts. "Words are just words," he said, "But you have to employ words with a graphic design of the mind," a philosophy that guided his approach to teaching and community engagement. This belief in the arts as a tool for communication and connection is a thread that runs through all of Lewis's endeavors.
Lewis grew up within the era of the "beloved community", in which "there was a consciousness on the part of the school, the administration, the teachers, and the community, because the community wanted all children to succeed," Lewis said. It was customary at that time for the entire community to come out to see students graduate, rather than just the families of those students.
With the dramatic growth that Baldwin has seen since then, Lewis remains hopeful about the potential for education and community involvement to uplift and inspire future generations. His advice to students is timeless: "Whatever direction you choose to go in, be the best in it." And perhaps most poignantly, Lewis encourages everyone, student or not, to "be a dreamer. Dream what you want your life to be like."
Benjamin Lewis's story is a beacon of Baldwin County School District's legacy, embodying the district's pride and the transformative power of education. Through his work in social services, education, and the arts, Lewis has not only impacted countless lives but also exemplified the ethos of giving back to one's community. His journey from the editor of a handcrafted newspaper to a distinguished alumni serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us of the profound impact one individual can have through dedication, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to learning and service.
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