As Black History Month draws to a close, the Lincoln County Library’s exhibit featuring local black first achievers will end with a Saturday reception The reception will take place from 12 to 2 p.m at the library.

Maxine Allen, who has coordinated the exhibit for four years, said in years past artists would visit the library and do presentations during Black History Month. As those events began to decrease, Allen said Black History Month became just a few books on display.

Allen and her daughter decided they would gather information on all those featured in the exhibit. Allen said it was important for children to learn about black history.

“We need to do this to show them their background – to show how far we have come and show them we’ve still got a long way to go,” she said.

Two people that stand out most to Allen are J.W. Moreton and Irvin Robinson. Moreton worked at State Bank for 50 years, and he was the first black radio broadcaster in Brookhaven.

“He stands out just because of the type of man he is,” she said.

Allen described him as caring and hard-working.

Robinson was the first black police officer in the city. Allen said at the time, he couldn’t work on the west side of the railroad tracks and was only allowed to police the black areas.

“Down through the years, all that changed,” she said, “But I thought that was very interesting.”

To learn about these and other black first achievers visit the exhibit in the library anytime this week during regular library hours.