Locksley Honored: A Community’s Story Recognized

This Was Never Just a Book

There are moments in life that cause you to pause—not because of personal achievement, but because you realize something bigger has taken place.

This is one of those moments.

I am honored to share that Locksley: The Original Black Families of Folsom has been selected to receive a Preservation Award from the Heritage Commission of Delaware County.

But this recognition does not belong solely to the author.

It belongs to a community.

A Story That Was Already Alive

From the very beginning, this project was never about creating something new.

It was about documenting something that already existed—a living, breathing community filled with:

• Families who built homes and futures

• Neighbors who became extended family

• Children who grew up with shared experiences

• A village that, in many ways, raised us all

As written in the dedication of Locksley, this work was always meant to honor:

“the families of the 3rd Ward Community of Folsom… and those who have passed away… whose influence made a lifelong impression.”

This award simply confirms what many of us already knew:

What existed in Locksley mattered.

Recognition Rooted in Community

According to the Heritage Commission, the book was recognized for:

• Attention to detail

• Historical context

• Methodology

• And the telling of an “untold story” in Delaware County

But behind every page of that story are real people:

• The families who first settled and stayed

• The children who walked to school together

• The neighbors who watched over one another

• The voices that were never formally recorded—but always remembered

This recognition reflects your lives, your stories, and your legacy.

From Memory to Legacy

What started as a personal journey—trying to understand how this community came to be—quickly became something more.

It became a realization that:

• Our stories were not widely documented

• Our experiences were not always preserved

• Our contributions were often overlooked

And yet, the impact was undeniable.

Locksley was more than a place. It was:

• A foundation

• A training ground

• A community of values

• A reflection of God’s plan, as described in the book’s introduction

A Celebration of the People

So today, let's celebrate:

✔ The elders who came before us
✔ The families who built and sustained the community
✔ The friendships that shaped our lives
✔ The resilience in the face of challenges
✔ The unity that made Locksley unique

And I also celebrate you—those who are reading this now.

Because whether you realize it or not:

👉 If you lived it, you are part of it
👉 If you remember it, you preserve it
👉 If you share it, you extend it

This Is Not the End of the Story

If anything, this recognition is just the beginning.

As stated in the research approach of the book, this work was always meant to:

• Encourage continued dialogue

• Invite community contributions

• Inspire further research and storytelling

There are still stories to tell.
There are still connections to uncover.
There are still voices to be heard.

An Invitation to the Community

As we move forward, we invite you to be part of this ongoing legacy:

• Share your memories

• Submit your photos

• Tell your family stories

• Help identify connections

Because history is not just something we look back on.

It is something we continue to build.

Closing: A Shared Honor

This award is meaningful—but not because of recognition alone.

It is meaningful because it affirms something deeper:

👉 That our community mattered
👉 That our story deserves to be told
👉 That our legacy will not be forgotten

And most importantly:

That what we built together in Locksley still lives on.