The Southfield City Council confirmed the Total Living Commission’s (TLC) recommendation of Roger Goolsby, Sr. as the 2017 recipient of the Greg Kennedy Community Service Award, which honors residents who are active in community service.

Mayor Kenson Siver and TLC Chair Veronica Leonard formally presented Mr. Goolsby with the Award at the Regular City Council meeting on Monday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Nominations for this prestigious award were due by September 1, 2017, which are reviewed by the City’s Total Living Commission with recommendations made to City Council. The Commission unanimously voted to approve Mr. Goolsby’s nomination.

Mr. Goolsby currently serves as president of the Southfield Community Coalition, a non-profit organization comprised of neighborhood and condominium associations and residents citywide. He is also very active with the Dr. Martin Luther King Task Force having served as president in 2010-2011. Additionally, Mr. Goolsby served on the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education from 1995-2004 and he continues to volunteer at Adler Elementary School where he mentors children and assists staff with special programs. He was also a member of the City’s Total Living Commission for four years which focuses on the quality of life of Southfield residents. During his employment with Chrysler Trenton Engine Plant, he co-chaired its Clothe-A-Child Program for over 20 years.

The Greg Kennedy Community Service Award was originally established in 1999 to honor the legacy of community activist Greg Kennedy by encouraging other residents to engage in public service. Greg Kennedy was one of Southfield’s first residents and demonstrated his commitment to the City throughout his entire lifetime. He established the City’s first Southfield Homeowners Coalition and annually sent numerous low-income children to attend the Shriner’s Circus. He visited senior homes in Southfield every week to help out, entertain and listen. He was an outspoken advocate for seniors and young people alike and was known for standing up for other people’s rights. Since its inception, there have been only four past recipients of the award, including: Samuel P. Havis in 2000; Jacqueline Nelson in 2001; Muriel Zweigel in 2003; and Jonathan Adams in 2016.

For more information, call Southfield Community Relations at 1-248-796-5130.