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Historic Brown Chapel AME Church presented a humanitarian award to Bruce Holmes, Sr. on March 3.

Holmes was presented a plaque by Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Pastor Leodis Strong, Bishop Harry L. Seawright and Joyce O’Neal during a church service on the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”  Holmes was instrumental in an anonymous person donating $250,000 to the church.

Holmes used to live in the Geoge Washington Carver homes located a few blocks from Brown Chapel. He said it was important not to forget his upbringing. 

“I’m thankful to God for blessing me and touching somebody’s heart [and] for giving me the opportunity to present this donation of $250,000,” Holmes said. “Growing up in Brown Chapel, attending Sunday school at the age of six and being a member for 56 years is a gift from God. I was an exceptional athlete growing up, a two-sport star in basketball and football. I always promised my neighborhood GWC Homes that I would bring a Super Bowl trophy and NBA championship back to the neighborhood but God had other plans. I received an award much bigger than both. It means a lot being a member of Historic Brown Chapel AME Church.”

Holmes said he always remembered words from two mentors, Romald Peoples and A.A. Sewell.

“My mentor Dr. Ronald Peoples always said, in so many words, ‘success is more than a destination. It is a path that you take one step at a time. Its fortitude. Its dedication. Its the hard work and passion inside of us that comes before all recognition.’ The second quote was from my 10th-grade math teacher, Coach  A.A. Sewell, who always said anything worth doing is worth doing your best.’’