tHE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF
​BISHOP LATHONIA J. WRIGHT

Randolph County's First Black Elected County Commissioner
By: Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson aka Wilkie Clark's Daughter
PictureBishop Lathonia J. Wright
No one has led a more deliberately — actively — impactful life where Randolph County and East Alabama is concerned, than Bishop Lathonia J. Wright. 
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As the Founding Pastor of New Life Worship Center (305 Handley Avenue)  in Roanoke, Bishop Lathonia  J. Wright has wholly dedicated himself to being a life-long laborer throughout the faith community — sharing his gifts as a biblical prodigy near and far.    For all of those years, he has led a God-centered life as a respected religious leader and teacher, having pastored in both the Baptist Church, as well as the Pentecostal church.  

However aside from his life-long dedication to the Christian ministry, perhaps his longest standing contribution to this community lies in his 30-year tenure of service as the first (1st) black citizen elected to be elected to serve on The Randolph County Commission, representing the mighty District 5 comprised of the majority black constituent of Randolph County.   For those who don't know, Commission District Five (5) of Randolph County, Alabama was conceived, believed, fought for and won, through the efforts of black leaders in Randolph County, under the meticulous guidance and direction of Jerome A. Gray, of Evergreen, Alabama.   If you have no knowledge or understanding of how Mr. Gray was involved in this saga, you must not read any further without totally understanding the information at this link.  Please visit this link now, then return back to this page to continue.     

Bishop Wright is married to the lovely Lady Juanita Pinkard Wright, and they have a son, Elder Maurice Wright and wife, Kayla, who now serves as Pastor of New Life Worship Center, and their daughter Tony Wright, along with a growing family of grandchildren.   

A native of Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama, Bishop Wright is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Willie Fred and Annie Lois Wright.  Lathonia grew up in the Historic East Roanoke community with his younger brother, Danny, who still resides in Roanoke with his wife, Gloria.  Sadly, their father, Willie Fred passed away during their youth, leaving Ms. Annie Lois to raise her children as a single mother.   But she was devout Christian woman; and raised both young men to be upstanding Christian ministers.  
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Much of his religious education evolved while growing up in the Historic East Roanoke community, as a member of the East Roanoke Church Of God.   This church was founded by Elder Wade Wright, a sanctified gospel preacher, who was also an accomplished classical pianist and music teacher.    Over the years, the East Roanoke Church became known for having a musically gifted congregation.  It was a church filled with members who either could play an instrument of some kind, and/or sing.   Practically everyone in the East Roanoke Church was musically inclined in one way or another.  Thus, it comes as no surprise that Bishop Wright, too, also developed musically as well.  He grew into an accomplished guitarist as well as a vocal performer.    As a young man, he performed with a number of Gospel singing groups.    

Thoroughly baptized in the word of God, at a very young age, Lathonia became an Elder in the East Roanoke Church Of God, where he served diligently and found many opportunities to travel and preach the Gospel on behalf of the church.  Not only did he serve under the founding pastor, Elder Wade Wright, Sr., but after his passing in 1969, he served under his son, Elder Wade Wright, Jr. — later Bishop Wade Wright, Jr., who was elevated to the position of Pastor, following the death of the senior Elder Wright.   

The artifact shown below depicts a clipping from the April 19, 1962 edition of The Roanoke Leader, when Lathonia could have been no more than 9 or 10 years of age.  The article comes from the "Negro News" section of the local paper, wherein the reporter described an Easter Play, that Lathonia participated in as a youngster.   The play is entitled, "Now Comes Easter."

Reading the article, it is apparent that not only is Lathonia in the play, his mother, Ms. Annie Lois is in the play among many others as well. ​​
MAY, 1969: WRIGHT GRADUATES FROM CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL, SMYRNA, GA
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​Despite formerly attending the Historic Randolph County Training School in East Roanoke, on May 29, 1969, Lathonia received his high school diploma from Campbell High of Smyrna, Ga, along with 159 others.  
 
On June 12, 1969, an article in the Roanoke Leader, detailed his graduation: 
" The commencement exercises were held at 8:30 pm at Campbell High Stadium.  Young Mr. Wright delivered the invocation.

During "Honors and Awards Day" at Campbell on May 11, he was awarded a one-year scholarship by the Smyrna Optimist Club in Kennesaw, Junior College.  He was also awarded the William H. Danforth "I Dare You" award for qualities of leadership.    

Wright was very active in school activities.  He was chaplain of the Senior Class and a member of the Senior Executive Committee.  He also held membership in various clubs at Campbell: the Spanish Club, the FTA (Future Teachers Of America), the Social Studies Club, and the Safe-Driving Club.

On September 29 of this year, he will enter Kennesaw Junior College in Marietta, where he will prepare for his major in Secondary Education."

Thus, as a graduating senior, his leadership abilities had already begun to reveal themselves; and it was already known that he was a prodigy, intellectually superior, and would be one of those who would never settle for mediocrity.  
​(Read Article Below)
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EARLY ENCOUNTERS WITH WILKIE CLARK
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In the early 1970's after completing his schooling at Kennesaw Junior College, Lathonia returned home to Roanoke, and continued to serve in the Christian ministry.     It was during this time that Wilkie Clark and his family were venturing into a newly inaugurated Funeral Service business, located in Roanoke — Clark Funeral Home.    Having an interest in the Funeral Service industry, he and Clark struck up a friendship that lasted for more than twenty (20) years — until Wilkie Clark's untimely death in July of1989.  

As we became more acquainted with Lathonia, we recognized him as a young man who FULLY embraced every word of biblical teaching he had ever consumed, and like a dried out sponge badly deprived of any moisture, he absorbed it word for word.  In addition to that — even more impressive was that HE ACTUALLY KNEW IT WORD FOR WORD...  He had an amazing memory, but when conversing, he wouldn't hesitate to grab his bible and quickly turn to a scripture or a biblical passage to support his declarations.   No matter what aspect of life our conversation involved, he could find a scripture to apply to it.  I guess at that time, we could correctly describe him as a "Fundamentalist."   But, because of the way he carried himself and walked in the world, we held him in very high esteem, and had great respect for his belief and his faith.  

It is believed that Lathonia would agree that aside from his biblically-based upbringing as a Pentecostal Preacher, his later association with Wilkie Clark was perhaps one of the strongest influences upon his life.   Upon his introduction to Clark, the young Elder Wright was introduced to yet another perspective of Christianity, and religious service. 

The young Elder Wright found Wilkie Clark, to be very well-versed in biblical doctrine and theology.  However, they differed in many respects.  An unshakable United Methodist, and strong proponent of Civil and Human Rights, Clark held a basic philosophical disagreement with the life-long teachings that had governed the young Elder Wright.   Over their years as close friends and associates, they both devoted many hours deliberating on the issues of "Man's Inhumanity to Man" and how "real" Christians must respond.   It is believed that so profound was Clark's influence upon this young Preacher, that he was compelled to acknowledge not only his fundamental calling into the Christian ministry, but also the call to respond to the larger-than-life, disparate circumstances in which every black citizen in America was trapped.   Their in-depth discussions always led to the ideology of Clark's belief in "liberation from a false god who privileges whites, and the realization of an alternative and true God who desires the empowerment of the oppressed through self-definition, self-affirmation, and self-determination.    Despite their religious and philosophical differences, they remained close friends and associates over their years.   It is believed that Clark evolved in his love and respect for Wright as they grew to be trusted friends, and worked closely in his Funeral Home business.   Over their years together, Clark shared his know-how, business acumen, and theological philosophies, as related to the plight of black men and women seeking to advance themselves in every avenue of American life.  As a family, we always showed "Reverend Wright" as we always referred to him respect for his position and beliefs as a young preacher.  

For Wilkie Clark, his greatest enemy in life had been the horrible stigma of racism and "jim crow' into which he had been born in 1920 — as well as lived the majority of his life.   Holding fast to his profession of faith as a United Methodist Clark was a fierce warrior, but, despite his faith, he believed in using every weapon at his disposal — within reason, of course. 

Philosophically, Clark was deeply inspired by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but even prior to King's coming on the scene, Clark fully embraced the philosophy of his forerunners, like Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, one of the early co-founders of the N.A.A.C.P.   He also adored Thurgood Marshall, Medgar Evers, Roy Wilkins and Whitney Young;  and being a man who adored young people, he shared his philosophies and beliefs about the insipidous racism we all experienced and he constantly queried and provoked youngsters about their own.   Clark was aggressive in his pursuit of liberation.  He found many older blacks, too complacent, too willing to help white folks maintain the "status quo"; and very reluctant to speak up for themselves.  But, very much like himself, the younger crowd was eager for advancement; eager for movement; and more willing to take risks that older blacks were too afraid to take.      

In the years after they became acquainted, for more than 20 years, Clark and Wright were constant companions; and ultimately having gained a broader understanding of the issues facing black citizens, and the strategies that were necessary to battle them — Wright became committed to the civil and human rights struggle for equality.   Clark and his younger protege' "Elder Wright" (at that time) became CO-WARRIORS in that struggle.   And from that time until today, Lathonia Wright has continued to walk that long, difficult walk while continuing to preach the Gospel. 

Together, they devoted a great deal of their time working with individuals in the community.  Among the black constituent in Randolph County and often BEYOND Randolph County, there was a caravan of individuals who, for one reason or another, needed help trying to deal with some racist encounter, either on their job; with local law enforcement; with being jailed; in the school system; in one area of life OR ANOTHER!  And for the two of them — it was a full time JOB, THAT DID NOT PAY!

During lighter moments, I would often refer to the two of them as "Batman and Robin."  

Some years later, Wright transitioned to the Missionary Baptist Church, where he served several area churches as Pastor for many years, before founding New Life Worship Center in Roanoke, Alabama.     The Baptist Churches he Pastored included New Home Baptist Church in Hissop, Alabama; New Harmoney Baptist Church in Lafayette, Alabama, and finally First Baptist Church in Roanoke.     
REVEREND ROBERT HEFLIN
Reverend Robert L. HeflinReverend Robert L. Heflin
Yet another influential giant of Roanoke's faith community was Reverend Wright's uncle, The Reverend Robert L. Heflin, a Baptist Preacher of long tenure, and much wisdom.   It is believed that this amazing man, merely by virtue of his extraordinary presence among men, in the midst of diverse circumstances, including extremes of racial oppression, exercised amazing influence on his nephew, the young Reverend Lathonia Wright.  Pastor Heflin was the biological brother of Ms. Annie Lois Wright.  But, he was a well-known and beloved Baptist Preacher of long tenure.   People — both inside AND outside the bounds of our community loved and trusted Reverend R.L. Heflin.   Heflin was an activist as well, having labored in the vineyard of education, voting rights, civil rights, and numerous avenues of black life.    It is overwhelmingly felt that Heflin demonstrated the belief that men of God can't just limit themselves or isolate themselves from life's adversities — especially black men.   A fighter indeed, Heflin had learned how to fight on a level wherein he was always able to retain the respect of the faith community on all sides.  His life was indeed a true "balancing act."      
THE ALABAMA COALITION AGAINST HUNGER
One of the first jobs that I recall Bishop Wright accepting was a position with the Alabama Coalition Against Hunger.  The Alabama Coalition Against Hunger (ACAH) established in 1976, was, and may still be based in Auburn, Alabama.  It is a component of the Alabama Council on Human Relations.  Its mission is to end hunger by working to provide all Alabama residents, as a matter of right, guaranteed access to nutritious foods sufficient to promote health and general well-being. 

Since its inception in 1976, ACAH worked to expand the availability of federal nutrition programs and provide community education and advocacy for residents with low incomes. 

It was instrumental in expanding participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)–formerly Food Stamps–and School Breakfast programs in Alabama and in expanding WIC to all 67 counties in Alabama.   It has directed statewide education/information campaigns on a variety of nutrition-related issues through a variety of grants.  ACAH serves as a hunger/nutrition information clearinghouse.  This is an ongoing effort to provide information to families living with low-income.   Even well-known programs such as Medicaid, WIC, and SNAP are under-utilized by some groups of eligible residents. ACAH has worked, and as appropriate continues to do so to help get the word out about these and other vital, often pivotal programs. 

DECEMBER, 1978:  PASTOR WRIGHT WEDS MISS JUANITA PINKARD
Around Christmas of 1978, Lathonia married the love of his life, the former Miss Juanita June Pinkard, a native of Roanoke.  Their nuptials translated into a festive gathering of family, friends, and extended family who were all present to witness the lovely Christmas ceremony in red and green.   The ceremony was held at Bethel United Methodist Church in the Historic East Roanoke community.  The newlywed Mrs. Wright attended public schools in Randolph County, later entering Southern Union State Community College.   She transferred to Auburn University where she majored in Social Work.   She returned home and jumped right into her calling — Helping others.   Over many years, she worked with the Randolph County, Department Of Human Resources, The County Health Department, and held many other positions in the field of Social Work.   Her energetic presence, however, transcended her professional career.  She was active in her church home, Mount Bethel United Methodist Church in Roanoke, where over her lifetime, she served in numerous capacities.   
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Bishop Lathonia Wright's Extended Family
May 25, 1980: [THE ANNISTON STAR] WRIGHT RUNS UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
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In 1980, while serving as Co-Founder and Spokesman for The Concerned Citizens Of Roanoke and Randolph County, Reverend Lathonia J. Wright (at the time) ran unsuccessfully for Place 5 on the Roanoke City Council.  During this period, he was pastoring two Churches, New Home Baptist Church, Hissop, Alabama and The New Harmony Baptist Church, LaFayette, Alabama.   During this period, he was also affiliated and very active with The Alabama Coalition Against Hunger, ACLU, the NAACP, and The Alabama Council on Human Relations.  

It was also during this local election cycle that other up and coming young black professionals, Jeffery Rosser, and Jeanetta Minnifield Stevens, entered the race for a seat on the Roanoke City Council.  Both Rosser and Mrs. Stevens were challenging Councilman George Pool for Place 1 on the City Council.    I believe that during this time, there were many among us who had a desire to be significant, and do significant things to make our community better... YET it wasn't a lack of desire, or motivation, or lack of ability that prevented it.  It was sheer, systemic racism — at the heart of many of our political failures.       

​During this bid for public office, Wright expressed concerned about "responsible" government, declaring that at the present time, "The City Government is not responsible."

He wanted to see more positive accomplishments in the area of unpaved streets, inadequate recreation and law enforcement.  

"IF the government is more responsible, then the citizens themselves will become more interested in the affairs of the city.  And maybe they won't be reluctant to approach their leaders," he was quoted as saying. 
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May 25, 1980: The Anniston Star, One Person Files for Roanoke Post.
JULY 29, 1989, WILKIE CLARK'S UNTIMELY DEATH
On July 29, 1989, having made a tremendous impact on his community, Wilkie Clark succumbed during the burning of his home of long tenure in Roanoke.   It was on this property that he had — FOR YEARS — literally devoted his entire lifetime to chipping away  (like picking a big hard block of ice with an ice-pick) at the demon of racism that had diminished the lives, quelled the spirits, and threatened the life-force of so many of our brothers and sisters of African descent.   It was a sad time for all of us.
NOVEMBER, 1990:  ELECTION TO RANDOLPH COUNTY COMMISSION
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In November of 1990, Reverend Lathonia J. Wright became the first (1st) Black citizen ever elected to the Randolph County Commission.   It should be noted here that this was no small victory.  It came after a decades-long, hard, court-based voting rights fight led on both the state and local levels by black Civil Rights activists working hand and hand to break down the barriers that had long served as the barricade to black political and voting power.    

The artifact displayed below is a newspaper article published in The Anniston Star, December 26, 1990, which basically highlighted the election of Randolph County's first Black County Commissioner.   Unlike Randolph County's local Newspaper — the Randolph Leader — black achievements such as Wright's election to public office, never got highlighted or spotlighted in the local newspaper.   They pretty much ignored it.   

In spite of how much our white counterparts IGNORED anything that we KNEW merited public attention, OUR COMMUNITY was well aware that Wright's election to the County Commission was one of the "First-Fruits" of the decades-long activity of Wilkie Clark, Roy Terry, Rudolph Terry, Lathonia Wright, and countless others who stayed on the FRONT LINES fighting voting rights discrimination night and day.  
APRIL 11, 1991:  THE ANNISTON STAR — RIGHTS GROUPS WATCHING CASE OF RAPE SUSPECT
In the Spring of 1991, institutional Racism CONTINUED to rear it's UGLY HEAD in Randolph County.   Wright, by this time, serving as the County Commissioner from District 5, was vocal in his opposition to how the matter was handled by local authorities.
MARCH 8, 1994: THE ANNISTON STAR — CROWD URGES F PRINCIPLE'S OUSTER
How ironic do you think it is that on Wilkie Clark's birthday, March 8, The Anniston Star published one aspect of one of the most intense racial controversies in the history of Randolph County.   
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1994-3-8: The Anniston Star — Crowd Urges Principal's Ouster (Continued)
MAY 28, 1998: [THE ANNISTON STAR] — UNITY THE AIM OF FULL GOSPEL GROUP
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MAY 28, 1998: [THE ANNISTON STAR] — UNITY THE AIM OF FULL GOSPEL GROUP
FEBRUARY 18, 2005:  Commissioner Lathonia J. Wright attends Clark's 36th Anniversary
​Presents Proclamation Conferring HIstorical Distinction upon the late Wilkie Clark
APRIL 4, 2007: FORMER TERRY 431 BUILDING DONATED TO COUNTY
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April 4, 2007: Former Terry 431 building donated to County
APRIL 13, 2007:  BISHOP WRIGHT TAKES "THE VOICE" ON A TOUR OF THE COUNTY JAIL
Over the years, there had been SO MUCH controversy expressed concerning the County Jail, during the week of April 13, 2007, Bishop Wright accompanied The People's Voice Black Weekly Newspaper on a tour of the Randolph County Jail.  The deplorable conditions seen in the Randolph County Jail were described in great detail in the front page article that appears below.   
​(Read Article Below)
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MAY 11, 2007:  WRIGHT FEATURED ON FRONT PAGE OF THE PEOPLE'S VOICE
Sometime after the inauguration of The People's Voice Bishop Wright was featured on the front page of the Black Weekly Newspaper.   It was felt that years — nearly two (2) decades after serving on the Randolph County Commission, Bishop Wright's vocal advocacy for better conditions within the County Jail, were falling on deaf ears.  And he deserved to be heard.   The article appears below. 
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JUNE 29, 2007:  BLACK NEWSPAPER SEEKS COMMISSIONER WRIGHT'S OPINION 
IN ALLEGATIONS OF POLICE ABUSE
Throughout 2007 The People's Voice was deluged with a steady stream of reports of Police Misuse of deadly Force.  In June of that same year, Larry Atkinson, a local citizen came to the People's Voice and described in agonizing, disturbing, abusive detail, to  with evidence and the narrative of his abusive detention by the Randolph County Jailer.  Naturally, because the Sherrif's Department comes under the County Commission, we looked to our Black County Commissioner, Bishop Wright, to offer his opinion of the incident.   The excerpts from The People's Voice Weekly News, tells the whole story.   The article appears below.   By clicking the link you can open up the actual pages and review the article.
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NOVEMBER 11, 2009: COMMISSIONER WRIGHT SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY
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NOVEMBER 11, 2009: COMMISSIONER WRIGHT SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015: COMMISSIONER WRIGHT RECOGNIZED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
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September 9, 2015: Commissioner Wright Recognized for Public Service
jULY 25, 2018: COUNTY BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW JAIL
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jULY 25, 2018: COUNTY BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW JAIL
August 28, 2019: Randolph County Commissioner Recognized for 28 years public service
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August 28, 2019 2019-8-28: Randolph County Commissioner Recognized for 28 years public service
2020 ELECTION SEASON: COMMISSIONER WRIGHT ENDS 30 YEAR CAREER AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER
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Entering the 2020 Election Cycle, Bishop Wright announced that he would not seek re-election for the seat he had held for 30 years, as a Randolph County Commissioner.  At the time, he remained proactive in identifying an individual he felt would be most qualified to serve the district.  That individual was Reverend Lorenzo Dale Foster, a Roanoke native, Baptist minister, and local law enforcement officer.  Reverend Foster was successful in his bid for the District 5 County Commission seat, which — over 30 years ago — the Black Community had fought so hard for, and ultimately won through the efforts of so many.  He is currently serving as County Commissioner.   
March 24, 2021: Wedowee Council Moves Forward To Honor Former Commissioner
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Wedowee Council moves forward to honor former commissioner
APRIL 6, 2021: Wright Honored With Street
PictureApril 6, 2021: Wright Honored With Street
Wright Honored With Street

Retired Randolph County Commissioner Lathonia Wright (center) was honored last week by having the street leading to the new Randolph County Jail named for him.  During his 30 years on the commission, Wright was always working toward building a new jail.  He is congratulated here by Wedowee Town Clerk, Susan Cooper and Wedowee Mayor Tim Coe.
APRIL 14, 2021: WEDOWEE CITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION TO RENAME DRIVE TO THE NEW JAIL
IN HONOR OF FORMER COMMISSIONER LATHONIA WRIGHT
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The April 14, 2021 edition of the Randolph Leader reported on the Wedowee Town Council's Resolution to rename the Drive after Former Commissioner Lathonia Wright.  
2023: MY ONLY REGRET...
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Of all that has been said and done regarding Bishop Lathonia Wright, my only regret today is that my father, Wilkie Clark did not live to see the first fruits of his labor in this gigantic effort to achieve the small measure of advancement that many of us witnessed as a result of his involvement in the fight for FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND EQUALITY in this corner of the world.

I believe that he wouldv'e been quite proud.