Members of a local black professionals network hosted a surprise luncheon to celebrate Dr. Placid and Dr. Athelia Eze, two living legends of black history in Starkville and Oktibbeha County.
The Eze’s opened a medical clinic and pharmacy in Starkville, MS and grew it to one of Starkville’s largest practices -with additional satellite offices in Columbus, Mississippi and East Point, Georgia.
The Eze’s medical practice culminated with the building of a million dollar facility in Starkville that became a pillar of a new growing medical corridor on Stark Rd. that has recently added facilities such as Columbus Orthopaedic.
In addition to providing a safe and welcoming space for blacks to receive healthcare, Dr. Athelia and Dr. Placid Eze identified, recruited, educated and produced more black medical professionals than anyone in the area. They gave minorities a chance and an onramp into medical professions when no one else would.
After 22 years of service, the Eze’s closed their practice.
On their last day, members of the local black professionals network hosted a surprise luncheon in their honor.
It was truly a community effort.
Bonnie and Robbie Coblentz provided a wonderfully intimate and elegant meeting space in their newly opened L’uva Wine Bar.
We presented an awards plaque that was custom created by Josh Herrington at Dunkington.
All of the Eze’s staff and some of their previous staff attended and offered tributes.
Alderman Henry Vaughn honored them on behalf of the City of Starkville.
Supervisor Orlando Trainer honored them on behalf of Oktibbeha County.
Rosa Dalomba honored them on behalf of all the up and coming black entrepreneurs that the Eze’s cleared the way for and for being shoulders on which we stand.
There were laughs.
There were tears.
But above all there was thankfulness and honor for these two paragons of black excellence.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. It was truly wonderful.
#blackhistory #blackhistoryisstillbeingmade
Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.
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