Montgomery County to Honor Six African American Community Leaders with ‘Living Legend Awards’

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 20, 2025

Montgomery County will present “Living Legend Awards” to six African American community leaders at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 20, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. James Stowe, director of the County’s Office of Human Rights, will host the awards ceremony. It is part of the County’s 28th Annual Juneteenth celebration, which this year has the theme of “Pushing Back: The Fight for Freedom Is Not Over.” 

The 2025 award recipients are being honored for their lifelong dedication in the areas of justice and advocacy, the arts, education, sports, entertainment, public service and other selfless acts of kindness. The event is free and open to the public.

The honorees are James Baker, Dr. Judi Moore Latta, Catherine Matthews, Jo Ann Owens, Dr. Betty Holston Smith and Maryland State Delegate W. Gregory Wims. 

The Juneteenth celebration, which includes various cultural and community events, continues from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, also at the BlackRock Center, which is located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown. 

“The stories of these six Living Legends are reminders of what real leadership looks like,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These individuals have helped shape the character of Montgomery County through service, courage and a deep commitment to justice and opportunity. At a time when history is being challenged and rewritten in dangerous ways, it’s more important than ever to lift up the truth of who we are and who we aspire to be. I want to thank each honoree for the work they’ve done and continue to do, and I hope residents across the County will join us in recognizing their contributions and the ongoing fight for freedom and equity.”

“The African American Living Legend Award honorees represent the very best of Montgomery County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through decades of service, advocacy and leadership, they have uplifted our communities and helped shape a more just and equitable future. Their contributions are part of the foundation on which we continue to build, and we are proud to honor their legacy.” 

Details about the award recipients: 

• James Baker. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County and pillar of the Rockville community, James Baker has devoted nearly a century to service, mentorship and civic engagement. Born and raised in the historic African American neighborhood of Lincoln Park, he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1945 and soon after earned a World War II Victory Medal for his service in the U.S. Army. A dedicated NIH lab technician for over 40 years, Mr. Baker contributed to groundbreaking research, including the development of the polio vaccine. In the postwar years, he was a cab driver for the Black-owned Hitman’s Cab Company and a baseball player with the Legionnaires, a local Negro League team. Alongside his beloved wife Lillian, he became a surrogate parent to many, warmly known as “Uncle Son” and “Aunt Lillian.” Mr. Baker co-founded the Black Angels Boys Club, volunteered with numerous homeless shelters and social service organizations and served on the Montgomery County Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee. A faithful church member and longtime trustee of Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, he remained committed to youth and education, even working as a bus companion for students with disabilities well into his 90s. Now 98, James Baker’s life of quiet leadership and unwavering generosity embodies the spirit of a true Living Legend.
  
  
• Judi Moore Latta. A trailblazer in communications, academia and public media, Dr. Judi Moore Latta has dedicated her life to education, advocacy and storytelling. An award-winning journalist, Dr. Latta helped shape national conversations through her work with WETA-TV/FM, WUSA-TV and WRC-TV. At NPR, she pioneered coverage as its first education reporter, created the network’s first Hispanic daily news program Latin File and produced the Peabody Award-winning series Wade in the Water: African American Sacred Music Traditions. A longtime faculty member at Howard University, she served as professor, department chair and executive director of communications, becoming the first woman to lead WHUT-TV as interim general manager. A resident of Silver Spring, Dr. Latta volunteers locally and nationally in partnership with private and public organizations focused on marginalized communities. She is a co-founder of the two-decades old Girls Rites of Passage Program, a program of the Potomac Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women based in Silver Spring. She continues as a member of the Council of Elders. A member of the Olive Branch Community Church in Olney Sandy Spring, Dr. Latta serves on several ministries and co-chairs the African American History and Culture ministry.
  
  
• Catherine Matthews. A lifelong Montgomery County resident and devoted public servant, Catherine “Cathy” Matthews has spent nearly 50 years shaping local government and building stronger, more inclusive communities. Beginning her career in 1973 with the Department of Recreation, she rose through the ranks to become director of the Upper County Regional Office, where for two decades she championed community-centered service and regional development. Her leadership helped shape the growth of Germantown and Clarksburg through initiatives like the Germantown town center development, the Destination Germantown Initiative and the Germantown Youth Collaboratory. Beyond government, Cathy served on the board of the BlackRock Center for the Arts for 20 years and held leadership roles in the private sector, co-founding a firm supporting minority-owned businesses. Even in retirement, she continues to serve with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, Leadership Montgomery and the Montgomery Parks Foundation.
  
  
• Jo Ann Owens. A lifelong Montgomery County resident and multigenerational community leader, Jo Ann Owens has spent her life uplifting others through faith, education and compassionate service. Raised in the historic Quince Orchard and KenGar neighborhoods, she devoted over 27 years to Montgomery County Public Schools, earning multiple commendations—including the Superintendent’s Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award—for her exceptional leadership and commitment. In 2013, the City of Gaithersburg honored her legacy with a proclamation of “Jo Ann Owens Day.” Deeply rooted in her faith, she has served the First Baptist Church of KenGar for decades through roles on the Ushers Board, Hospitality Committee and as lead decorator for major services. Her tireless volunteerism includes mentoring students through the Everybody Wins! literacy program, delivering food with Germantown HELP, and supporting at-risk youth through Lead4Life, Inc. Her joyful presence has graced local cultural events like BlackRock’s performances and Gaithersburg’s Jubilation Day Gospel Concert.
  
  
• Betty Holston Smith. A fierce advocate for natural living and lifelong fitness, Dr. Betty Smith has redefined what it means to age with strength, grace and vitality. At 84, she continues to run 60 to 100 miles per week, powered by a plant-based, junk food–free lifestyle and a deep connection to nature. A longtime Montgomery County resident, Dr. Smith is an organic vegan, marathoner, ultra-marathoner, deep-water running instructor and Tai Chi martial artist with more than four decades of practice. She has completed more than 93 marathons across all seven continents and over 30 ultra-marathons since 2007. A coach with the Montgomery County Road Runners Club and an advocate for youth fitness, she volunteers at children’s runs and continues to inspire runners of all ages. From breaking U.S. Track & Field age group records to celebrating her 81st birthday by running 81 miles through the night, Dr. Smith is a living testament to the power of discipline, nature and movement. Her book “Lifestyle by Nature” captures her philosophy and the transformative impact of her six-step lifestyle formula.
  
  
• Delegate W. Gregory Wims. A sixth-generation Montgomery County native, Delegate Greg Wims has spent more than five decades advancing civil rights, public service and community empowerment. Raised in the historic Stewart Town community, his early experiences shaped a life dedicated to lifting others. He broke barriers as the first male Head Start teacher in Montgomery County and the county's first African American legislative assistant to serve in Congress. A lifelong advocate, he founded the Victims’ Rights Foundation, which has raised over $1 million for survivors of violent crime, including families affected by the 2002 sniper attacks. Delegate Wims has served on more than 40 nonprofit boards and held leadership roles in the NAACP at the county and state levels. His government work has focused on youth development, minority business advancement and civic engagement. Now representing District 39 in the Maryland House of Delegates, he continues to be a powerful voice for justice, equity and opportunity. His legacy is one of unwavering service and an enduring commitment to the people of Montgomery County.

Visit the Office of Human Rights website to view the list of past African American Living Legends Award recipients. 

The County Executive’s African American Advisory Group and the Office of Human Rights sponsor the Living Legends Awards ceremony. 

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Release ID: 25-253
Media Contact: Jennifer Garfinkel 240-962-1506
Categories: Award