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FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTGOMERY – Approximately 450 community members, leaders, partners, family, and friends gathered at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center on Friday, September 19, to celebrate Felecia L. Lucky’s profound impact on the Black Belt Community Foundation and wish her well in her new role. The Evening of Honor was an illustrious affair, recognizing Lucky’s 21-year tenure as the founding President and CEO of BBCF—a period marked by unprecedented growth and a steadfast commitment to community-led change in one of the nation’s most historically underserved regions.

The evening opened with a warm reception set to the sound of live saxophone music, followed by a program of heartfelt reflections from Lucky’s colleagues, family, and board members on her extraordinary impact. Highlights included presentations from all 12 counties in BBCF’s service area, along with the introduction of the Fellows Program honoring her legacy. Guests shared a lovely dinner and a beautiful cake before closing the night with dancing and fellowship, creating a joyful celebration that blended gratitude for Lucky’s service with excitement for the future.

For over two decades, Lucky served as the visionary steward of BBCF, leading with vision and purpose. Under her guidance, the foundation has transformed into a trusted institution, deploying nearly $100 million in resources into the region. Her leadership fostered deep partnerships with over 200 nonprofits, all guided by the wisdom of 150 Community Associates from across the 12-county service area of BBCF—nearly one-fifth of Alabama’s land area—making BBCF a powerfully informed catalyst for progress. The celebration event was a testament to the wide network of community associates, board leadership, partners, staff, friends, and family she has cultivated.

As Felecia L. Lucky steps down from her role at BBCF, she embarks on a new chapter as President of the F.B. Heron Foundation, where she will continue to champion community-driven progress on a national stage.

To honor her legacy, BBCF unveiled the Felecia L. Lucky Fellows Program, a new initiative focused on promoting academic excellence, Black Girls and Women in the South, career exploration, civic engagement and community-led philanthropy for high school students throughout the Black Belt region. Officially launched in September 2025, this program will provide transformative opportunities for the next generation of leaders, ensuring Lucky’s impact continues to ripple forward.

To learn more about the Felecia L. Lucky Fellows Program and to support the enduring legacy of Felecia L. Lucky, please visit Blackbeltfound.org/fllfellows/