Ludgood Wins Public Leadership Award

Americans for the Arts (AFTA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) recently presented Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for outstanding county arts leadership. Since 1997, the award has recognized elected officials who have advanced the arts within their community and whose vision and leadership provide heightened visibility of the value of the arts. Ludgood was awarded “for her extraordinary work in revitalizing Africatown and understanding the important role that arts and culture play throughout Mobile County and across Alabama in enlivening communities; connecting neighbors; and creating vibrant places to live, work, worship and play,” said Jamie Bennett and Suzy Delvalle, interim co-CEOs of AFTA. “Commissioner Ludgood has spent decades investing in arts and culture as a key public good. She stands as a model for any public official.” AFTA and NACo cited Ludgood’s efforts to build the Africatown Heritage House and its Clotilda exhibition and Memory Keeper sculpture. She has received numerous honors and awards, including being selected for Leadership Mobile, Leadership Alabama and the Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship. She has been honored for her public service by many community organizations, including Mobile United’s A.F. Delchamps Award for creating community by forging unity from diversity and the Mobile Bar Association’s Trailblazer Award.